Combination therapies using immuno-dash inhibitors and pge2 antagonists

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are combination therapies including administration of I-DASH inhibitors and PGE2 antagonists, and the use of such therapies in the treatment of cell proliferative diseases.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. Nos. 62/384,403, filed Sep. 7, 2016; 62/384,407,filed Sep. 7, 2016; and 62/482,750, filed Apr. 7, 2017.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has beensubmitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Oct. 16, 2017, isnamed TUV-104_25_SL.txt and is 13,955 bytes in size.

BACKGROUND

Immuno-DASH (I-DASH) inhibitors, potent inhibitors of the post-prolinecleaving enzymes DPP4, DPP8 and DPP9, act as checkpoint inhibitors of anewly described immuno-checkpoint involving DASH enzymes. Inhibition ofthese target enzymes, which include both intracellular and extracellulartargets, results in (inter alia) pyroptosis of tumor-associatedmacrophages, and the release of IL-1beta and perhaps otherimmunostimulatory cytokines, and the effects of treatment with an I-DASHinhibitor include redistribution and altered activity of tumorassociated MDSCs, enhanced priming of T-cells and dendritic cells, andenhanced trafficking of T-cells and other immune cells to the tumor.Treatment with the early prototypical I-DASH inhibitorValine-boroProline (Talabostat, PT-100) was reported to result inimmune-related adverse events (irAEs), including pneumonitis. SeeCunningham 2007 Journal Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs16:1459-1465 and Uprichard et al. (2005) Journal of Clinical Oncology23:7563.

Talabostat, together with other amino boronic dipeptides, was originallydesigned as a high affinity, competitive inhibitor of the enzymedipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV or CD26). The compound was found tostimulate hematopoiesis and antitumor immune responses via cytokineupregulation. In addition to DPP-IV, the dipeptidyl peptidases 8 and 9(DPP-8 and DPP-9) and fibroblast activation protein (FAP) weresubsequently shown to be sensitive to inhibition by talabostat. SeeJones B, Uprichard M J. PT-100 Investigator's Brochure. 2004. Based onsimilarities of protein structure and substrate specificity, DPPs-8 and-9 and FAP are classified as members of the DPP-IV-like family ofpost-prolyl cleaving serine proteases.

DPPs-8 and -9 are cytosolic proteases and their inhibition by talabostathas been shown to cause caspase-1 activation and IL-10 induction inmacrophages, which in turn causes upregulation of the cytokines andchemokines that characterize the responses to talabostat, both in vitroand in tumor-bearing mice. The biological activities of the cytokinesand chemokines upregulated by talabostat suggest that both innate andadaptive immunity are evoked. In animal models, talabostat enhanced theproduction of cytokines in tumor tissue and lymphoid organs, resultingin enhanced tumor-specific T-cell-dependent and T-cell-independentimmunity. These antitumor responses were enhanced by concomitanttreatment with chemotherapeutic agents, including cisplatin,gemcitabine, paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, and the monoclonal antibodyrituximab.

Based on efficacy in animal models, Val-boroPro entered phase I clinicaltrials in humans in which the compound appeared to be well tolerated andsome activity was seen. In a phase I trial in thirteen patients treatedconcomitantly with immunosuppressive chemotherapy, five patients showedimprovement in grade 3 neutropenia and most developed elevations inserum cytokine levels. A phase I trial of talabostat and rituximab inrituximab-resistant lymphoma showed cytokine elevations in most patientswith partial response in 3 patients. In subsequent phase II trials incombination with standard cytotoxic chemotherapy, however, Val-boroProdid not meet the endpoints for efficacy.

However, dose-limiting toxicities ultimately limited the maximum dosethat could be administered to patients in later trials, with the mostcommonly reported adverse event linked to talabostat beingedema/peripheral swelling, hypotension or dehydration/hypovolemia,speculated originally as perhaps being the result of stimulation of IL-6or other immunomodulatory effects. Phase III trials in which talabostatwas administered to patients with late-stage NSCLC in combination witheither docetaxel or pemetrexed were ultimately halted at the interimevaluation. As reported in the Wall Street Journal, Kennedy V B. “PointThera puts talabostat trial on hold” Market Watch. 2007, these trialswere terminated early because neither the primary nor the secondarygoals were being met, and the patient group in the docetaxel-combinationstudy appeared to have a lower survival rate than the group in theplacebo arm. Accordingly, despite promising preclinical results in tumormodels, Talabostat was ultimately put on clinical hold largely as aresult of dosing toxicities which prevented dosing the drug to levelswhich may have been effective if achieved.

The present invention is based on the discovery that Talabostat, alongwith other immuno-DASH inhibitors, may be used as part of anti-cancertherapies when administered in combination with PGE2 antagonists such ascyclcooxygenase inhibitors, in part based on the observations describedherein that the combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor and PGE2 antagonistproduces a profound increase in safety for certain immuno-DASH inhibitor(increasing the maximum tolerated dose), and in certain instances, alsoproduces a synergistic improvement to antitumor efficacy of theimmuno-DASH inhibitor, further increasing the therapeutic window ofthese drugs to the point that treatment of patients becomes tractableeven where dose limiting toxicities previously prevented efficacy andcaused abandonment of Talabostat as a drug candidate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of enhancing acell-mediated immune response against a cancer, comprising administeringto a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of animmuno-DASH (I-DASH) inhibitor and a PGE2 antagonist (i.e., a PGE2pathway inhibitor), wherein the I-DASH inhibitor inhibits the enzymaticactivity of DPP8, DPP9 and DPP-4, and optionally FAP, and wherein thecombination of immuno-DASH inhibitor and PGE2 antagonist induces and/orenhances T cell-mediated immune response against the tumor.

In certain embodiments, the subject immuno-DASH inhibitors and PGE2antagonists are co-formulated. For example, the subject immuno-DASHinhibitors are co-formulated with a PGE2 antagonist such as acyclo-oxygenase inhibitor. In preferred embodiments, the subjectimmuno-DASH inhibitors are co-formulated, i.e., into a single dosageformulation, for oral administration with a PGE2 antagonist such as acyclo-oxygenase inhibitor. In preferred embodiments, the immuno-DASHinhibitor and PGE2 antagonist are co-formulated in a form suitable foronce daily or twice daily dosages, such as tablets, capsules or thelike.

In certain preferred embodiments, the PGE2 antagonist increases themaximum tolerated dose of the I-DASH inhibitor by at least 30%, and morepreferably at least 50%, 75%, 100%, or even at least 2, 5, 10, 20, 40 oreven more than 50-fold compared to the MTD of the I-DASH inhibitor inthe absence of the PGE2 antagonist.

In certain preferred embodiments, the PGE2 antagonist improves theefficacy rate and/or complete response rate of the I-DASH inhibitor byat least 30%, and more preferably at least 50%, 75%, 100%, or even atleast 2, 5, 10, 20, 40 or even more than 50-fold compared to theefficacy and/or complete response rate of the I-DASH inhibitor in theabsence of the PGE2 antagonist.

In certain preferred embodiments, the PGE2 antagonist reduces the doseof immuno-DASH inhibitor required, compared to administration of theimmuno-DASH inhibitor alone, to produce a given antitumor effect (suchas average percentage reduction in tumor volume over time compared toplacebo and/or average rate of survival compared to placebo). In certainembodiments, the PGE2 antagonist reduces the dose of immuno-DASHinhibitor required, compared to administration of the immuno-DASHinhibitor alone, to produce a given antitumor effect by 10%, and morepreferably at least 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% or even 75%. In certainembodiments, the PGE2 antagonist reduces the effect dose (ED) ofimmuno-DASH inhibitor required, compared to administration of theimmuno-DASH inhibitor alone, to produce a given antitumor effect by 10%,and more preferably at least 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% or even 75%. Incertain embodiments, the PGE2 antagonist reduces the minimum effect doseof immuno-DASH inhibitor required, compared to administration of theimmuno-DASH inhibitor alone, to produce a given antitumor effect by 10%,and more preferably at least 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% or even 75%. Incertain embodiments, the PGE2 antagonist reduces the maximum effect doseof immuno-DASH inhibitor required, compared to administration of theimmuno-DASH inhibitor alone, to produce a given antitumor effect by 10%,and more preferably at least 15%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% or even 75%.

In certain preferred embodiments, the PGE2 antagonist increases thetherapeutic index for an immuno-DASH inhibitor, compared toadministration of the immuno-DASH inhibitor alone, by at least a factorof 2, and more preferably at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75 oreven 100.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the PGE2 antagonist isa cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, i.e., an inhibitor of COX-1, COX-2 orboth. In certain preferred embodiments, the COX inhibitor is a COX-2selective inhibitor. In certain preferred embodiments, the COX inhibitoris selected from the group consisting of celecoxib, deracoxib,parecoxib, valdecoxib, rofecoxib, lumiracoxib, etoricoxib, meloxicam,and mixtures and prodrugs thereof.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the PGE2 antagonistdoes not bind PPARγ and modulate PPARγ activity at pharmacologicallyrelevant concentrations in the combination with an I-DASH inhibitor. Incertain embodiments of the present invention, the PGE2 antagonist is notindomethacin.

In other embodiments, the PGE2 antagonist is a phospholipases A2inhibitor, and more preferably an inhibitor of cytosolic phospholipasesA2 (cPLA2).

In certain preferred embodiments of the subject method, theimmuno-DASH-inhibitor possess an intracellular IC₅₀ for DPP8 and DPP9inhibition less than 100 nM, an in vitro IC₅₀ of less than 100 nM forDPP4 inhibition, an IC₅₀ of less than 100 nM for inducing pyroptosis ofmacrophage in cell culture, and a k_(off) rate for interaction with DPP4less than 1×10⁻⁴/sec.

In certain preferred embodiments of the subject method, the I-DASHinhibitor has IC₅₀ values for inhibition of DPP4, DPP8 and DPP9 that arewithin 2 orders of magnitude of each other.

In certain embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor has: i) an in vivoIC₅₀ for DPP4 inhibition of less than 200 nM, and ii) an intracellularIC₅₀ for DPP8 and DPP9 inhibition less than 200 nM. In certainembodiments, the in vivo IC₅₀ for DPP4 inhibition is less than 100 nM,10 nM, 1.0 nM, 0.1 nM, 0.01 nM or even 0.001 nM. In certain embodiments,the in vitro cell-free IC₅₀ for DPP4 inhibition is less than 100 nM, 10nM, 1.0 nM, 0.1 nM, 0.01 nM or even 0.001 nM. In certain embodiments,the EnPlex IC₅₀ for DPP4 inhibition is less than 100 nM, 10 nM, 1.0 nM,0.1 nM, 0.01 nM or even 0.001 nM.

In certain embodiments, the in vivo IC₅₀ for DPP4 inhibition is lessthan 100 nM, 10 nM, 1.0 nM, 0.1 nM, 0.01 nM or even 0.001 nM. In certainembodiments, the in vitro cell-free IC₅₀ for DPP4 inhibition is lessthan 100 nM, 10 nM, 1.0 nM, 0.1 nM, 0.01 nM or even 0.001 nM. In certainembodiments, the EnPlex IC₅₀ for DPP4 inhibition is less than 100 nM, 10nM, 1.0 nM, 0.1 nM, 0.01 nM, 0.001 nM (1 picomolar) or even 0.0001 nM(100 femtomolar). In certain embodiments, the Ki for DPP4 inhibition isless than 100 nM, 10 nM, 1.0 nM, 0.1 nM, 0.01 nM, 0.001 nM (1 picomolar)or even 0.0001 nM (100 femtomolar).

In certain embodiments, the in vitro cell-free IC₅₀ for DPP8 and/or DPP9(and preferably for both DPP8 and DPP) inhibition is less than 100 nM,10 nM, 1.0 nM, 0.1 nM, 0.01 nM or even 0.001 nM. In certain embodiments,the EnPlex IC₅₀ for DPP8 and/or DPP9 (and preferably for both DPP8 andDPP) inhibition is less than 100 nM, 10 nM, 1.0 nM, 0.1 nM, 0.01 nM,0.001 nM (1 picomolar) or even 0.0001 nM (100 femtomolar). In certainembodiments, the Ki for DPP8 and/or DPP9 (and preferably for both DPP8and DPP) inhibition is less than 100 nM, 10 nM, 1.0 nM, 0.1 nM, 0.01 nM,0.001 nM (1 picomolar) or even 0.0001 nM (100 femtomolar).

In certain embodiments, the in vitro cell-free IC₅₀ for DPP8 and/or DPP9(and preferably for both DPP8 and DPP) inhibition is within 100-fold ofthe IC₅₀ for DPP4 inhibition. In certain embodiments, the in vitrocell-free IC₅₀ for DPP8 and/or DPP9 (and preferably for both DPP8 andDPP) inhibition is at least 5-fold less (more potent) than the IC₅₀ forDPP4 inhibition, and even more preferably at least 10, 50, 100, 500 oreven 1000-fold less (more potent) than the IC₅₀ for DPP4 inhibition.

In certain embodiments, the EnPlex IC₅₀ for DPP8 and/or DPP9 (andpreferably for both DPP8 and DPP) inhibition is within 100-fold of theIC₅₀ for DPP4 inhibition. In certain embodiments, the EnPlex IC₅₀ forDPP8 and/or DPP9 (and preferably for both DPP8 and DPP) inhibition is atleast 5-fold less (more potent) than the IC₅₀ for DPP4 inhibition, andeven more preferably at least 10, 50, 100, 500 or even 1000-fold less(more potent) than the IC₅₀ for DPP4 inhibition.

In certain embodiments, the Ki for DPP8 and/or DPP9 (and preferably forboth DPP8 and DPP) inhibition is within 100-fold of the Ki for DPP4inhibition. In certain embodiments, the Ki for DPP8 and/or DPP9 (andpreferably for both DPP8 and DPP) inhibition is at least 5-fold less(more potent) than the Ki for DPP4 inhibition, and even more preferablyat least 10, 50, 100, 500 or even 1000-fold less (more potent) than theKi for DPP4 inhibition.

In certain embodiments, the subject immuno-DASH inhibitors also inhibitFibroblast Activating Protein (FAP) within the concentration range ofthe drug being an effective antitumor agent. For instance, theimmuno-DASH inhibitor can have a Ki for inhibition FAP less than 100 nM,10 nM, 1.0 nM, 0.1 nM, 0.01 nM, 0.001 nM (1 picomolar) or even 0.0001 nM(100 femtomolar).

In certain embodiments, the I-DASH inhibitor exhibits slow bindinginhibition kinetics.

In certain embodiments, the I-DASH inhibitor has a k_(off) rate forinteraction with DPP4 less than 1×10⁻⁴/sec, and preferably less than5×10⁻⁵/sec, 3×10⁻⁵/sec or even less than 1×10⁻⁵/sec.

In certain embodiments, the I-DASH inhibitor a Cmax in human patients ormice, when administered in a single oral dose, that is less than 80% ofthe Cmax produced by oral administration of 10 millgrams of Val-boroProas an immediate release formulation, and even more preferably has a Cmaxless than 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30% or even 20% of the Cmax produced byoral administration of 10 millgrams of immediate release Val-boroPro.

In certain embodiments, the I-DASH inhibitor is formulated an anintermediate or extended release formulation so as to produce a Cmax inhuman patients or mice, when administered in a single oral dose, that isless than 80% of the Cmax produced by oral administration of 10millgrams of Val-boroPro formulated as an immediate release formulation,and even more preferably has a Cmax less than 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30% oreven 20% of the Cmax produced by oral administration of 10 millgrams ofimmediate release Val-boroPro.

In certain embodiments, I-DASH-inhibitor is administered in an amountthat produces, within 6 hours of administration, at least a 100%increase in mean plasma levels of one or more of G-CSF, IL-6, IL-8and/or IL-18, and even more preferably a 150%, 200%, 250%, 300%, 400%,or even 500% increase in mean plasma levels of one or more of G-CSF,IL-6, IL-8 and/or IL-18.

In certain embodiments, I-DASH-inhibitor is administered in an amountthat produces, within 6 hours of administration, at least a 100%, 150%,200%, 250%, 300%, 400%, or even 500% increase in mean plasma levels ofG-CSF.

In certain embodiments, the single dosage formulations include an amountof I-DASH-inhibitor that produces, within 6 hours of administration, atleast a 100%, 150%, 200%, 250%, 300%, 400%, or even 500% increase inmean plasma levels of G-CSF.

In certain embodiments, the I-DASH inhibitor is administered to thepatient in a sufficient amount to cause an increase in serumconcentration of CXCL10.

In certain embodiments, the I-DASH inhibitor is administered to thepatient in a sufficient amount to cause a decrease in the number oftumor-associated macrophages.

In certain embodiments, the I-DASH inhibitor is administered to thepatient in a sufficient amount to reduces monocytic myeloid-derivedsuppressor cells in the tumor.

In certain embodiments, the I-DASH inhibitor is administered to thepatient in a sufficient amount to reduces T-cell suppressive activity ofgranulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the tumor.

In certain embodiments, the I-DASH inhibitor produces full tumorregression at the therapeutically effective amount and thetherapeutically effective amount is less than the immuno-DASHinhibitor's maximum tolerated dose.

In certain embodiments, the I-DASH inhibitor has a therapeutic index ofat least 10, and more preferably at least 20, 40, 60, 80 or even atleast 100.

In certain embodiments, the I-DASH inhibitor has a maximum tolerateddose of at least 50 mg in C57BL/6 mice, and even more preferably atleast 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg or even at least 300 mg, and ableto induce full tumor regression in the C57BL/6 mice at doses less thanthe maximum tolerated dose, preferably at a dose less than 75% of themaximum tolerated dose, and even more preferably at a dose less than50%, 25%, 10% or even less than 5% of the maximum tolerated dose.

In certain embodiments, the I-DASH inhibitor has a maximum tolerateddose, alone or in combination with a PGE2 inhibitor, the produces a Cmaxof at least 50 nM in Sprague Dawley rats, and even more preferably atleast 100 nM, 500 nM, 1000 nM, 1500 nM, 2000 nM, 3000 nM, 5000 nM,10,000 nM or even at least 20,000 nM, and able to induce full tumorregression in the C57BL/6 mice at serum concentrations less than themaximum tolerated dose in those mice, preferably at a dose producing aCmax less than 75% of the maximum tolerated dose, and even morepreferably at a dose producing a Cmax less than 50%, 25%, 10% or evenless than 5% of the maximum tolerated dose.

In certain embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor for use in the methodof the present invention are represented by the general formula;

-   -   wherein    -   A represents a 4-8 membered heterocycle including the N and the        Ca carbon;    -   Z represents C or N;    -   W represents —CN, —CH═NR5,

-   -   R1 represents a C-terminally linked amino acid residue or amino        acid analog, or a C-terminally linked peptide or peptide analog,        or an amino-protecting group, or

-   -   R2 is absent or represents one or more substitutions to the ring        A, each of which can independently be a halogen, a lower alkyl,        a lower alkenyl, a lower alkynyl, a carbonyl (such as a        carboxyl, an ester, a formate, or a ketone), a thiocarbonyl        (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an        amino, an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a        sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfonamido, —(CH₂)_(m)—R7,        —(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower        alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—SH,        —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkenyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R7;    -   if X is N, R3 represents hydrogen, if X is C, R3 represents        hydrogen or a halogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a lower        alkynyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an ester, a formate, or        a ketone), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate,        or a thioformate), an amino, an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, a        nitro, an azido, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfonamido,        —(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7,        —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R7;    -   R5 represents H, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, —C(X1)(X2)X3,        —(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(n)—OH, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(n)—SH, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—S-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-alkynyl,        (CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —C(O)C(O)NH₂, —C(O)C(O)OR′7;    -   R6 represents hydrogen, a halogen, a alkyl, a alkenyl, a        alkynyl, an aryl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—OH,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R7,    -   R7 represents, for each occurrence, a substituted or        unsubstituted aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or        heterocycle;    -   R′7 represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, or a substituted        or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl,        cycloalkenyl, or heterocycle; and    -   Y1 and Y2 can independently or together be OH, or a group        capable of being hydrolyzed to a hydroxyl group, including        cyclic derivatives where Y1 and Y2 are connected via a ring        having from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring structure (such as pinacol        or the like),    -   R50 represents O or S;    -   R51 represents N₃, SH₂, NH₂, NO₂ or OR′7;    -   R52 represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl, an amine, OR′7, or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or R51 and R52 taken together        with the phosphorous atom to which they are attached complete a        heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring structure    -   X1 represents a halogen;    -   X2 and X3 each represent a hydrogen or a halogen    -   m is zero or an integer in the range of 1 to 8; and    -   n is an integer in the range of 1 to 8.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the immuno-DASH inhibitorrepresented by formula I, or a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

wherein

-   -   ring A represents a 3-10 membered ring structure;    -   ring Z represents a 4-10 membered heterocycle including the N        and the Ca carbon;    -   W represents —CN, —CH═NR⁴, a functional group which reacts with        an active site residue of the target, or

-   -   X is O or S;    -   X¹ represents a halogen;    -   Y¹ and Y² are independently OH, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached represent a group that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached form a 5-8 membered ring that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid;    -   R¹ is absent or represents a halogen, a lower alkyl, a lower        alkenyl, a lower alkynyl, a carbonyl, a thiocarbonyl, an amino,        an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a sulfate, a        sulfonate, a sulfonamido, —CF₃, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(m)OH,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkenyl, or —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   R² represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower        alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(═O)-alkyl, —C(═O)-alkenyl,        —C(═O)-alkynyl, or —C(═O)—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   R³ represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, or a substituted        or unsubstituted lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl,        cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or heterocycle;    -   R⁴ represents a hydrogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a        lower alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OH, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(n)—SH, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(O)C(O)NH₂, or —C(O)C(O)OR⁸;    -   R⁵ represents O or S;    -   R⁶ represents N₃, SH, NH₂, NO₂ or OR⁸;    -   R⁷ represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl, an amine, OR⁸, or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or R⁵ and R⁶ taken together        with the phosphorous atom to which they are attached complete a        heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring        structure;    -   R⁸ represents, hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,        alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or        heterocyclyl;    -   R⁹ and R¹⁰, each independently, are absent or represents one,        two, or three substitutions to the ring A or to the ring Z to        which they are appended, each of which can independently be a        halogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a lower alkynyl, a        carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an ester, a formate, or a ketone),        a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a        thioformate), an amino, an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, an        isocyano, a thiocyanato, an isothiocyanato, a cyanato, a nitro,        an azido, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfonamido, lower        alkyl-C(O)OH, —O-(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH, -guanidinyl;        —(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R³,        —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and    -   m is 0, 1, 2, or 3.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the immuno-DASH inhibitorrepresented by formula II, or a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   wherein    -   ring A, along with each occurrence of R^(1a), represents a 7-12        membered polycyclic ring structure;    -   ring Z represents a 4-10 membered heterocycle including the N        and the Ca carbon;    -   W represents —CN, —CH═NR⁴, a functional group which reacts with        an active site residue of the target, or

-   -   X is O or S;    -   X¹ represents a halogen;    -   Y is C or N;    -   Y¹ and Y² are independently OH, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached represent a group that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached form a 5-8 membered ring that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid;    -   R^(1a) represents a lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—; —(CH₂)_(m)—N—(CH₂)_(m)—; or        —(CH₂)_(m)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—;    -   R² represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower        alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(═O)-alkyl, —C(═O)-alkenyl,        —C(═O)-alkynyl, or —C(═O)—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   R³ represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, or a substituted        or unsubstituted lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl,        cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or heterocycle;    -   R⁴ represents a hydrogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a        lower alkynyl, (CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OH, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R₇, —(CH₂)_(n)—SH, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(O)C(O)NH₂, or —C(O)C(O)OR⁸;    -   R⁵ represents O or S;    -   R⁶ represents N₃, SH, NH₂, NO₂ or OR⁸;    -   R⁷ represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl, an amine, OR⁸, or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or R⁵ and R⁶ taken together        with the phosphorous atom to which they are attached complete a        heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring        structure;    -   R⁸ represents, hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,        alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or        heterocyclyl;    -   R⁹ and R¹⁰, each independently, are absent or represents one,        two, or three substitutions to the ring A or to the ring Z to        which they are appended, each of which can independently be a        halogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a lower alkynyl, a        carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an ester, a formate, or a ketone),        a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a        thioformate), an amino, an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, an        isocyano, a thiocyanato, an isothiocyanato, a cyanato, a nitro,        an azido, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfonamido, lower        alkyl-C(O)OH, —O-(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH, -guanidinyl;        —(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R³,        —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   n is 0, 1, 2, or 3;    -   m is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and    -   p is 1, 2, or 3.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the immuno-DASH inhibitorrepresented by formula III, or a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   ring Z represents a 4-10 membered heterocycle including the N        and the Cu carbon;    -   W represents —CN, —CH═NR⁴, a functional group which reacts with        an active site residue of the target, or

-   -   X is O or S;    -   X² is absent or represents a halogen or lower alkyl;    -   Y¹ and Y² are independently OH, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached represent a group that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached form a 5-8 membered ring that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid;    -   R¹ represents, independently for each occurrence, a halogen, a        lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a lower alkynyl, a carbonyl, a        thiocarbonyl, an amino, an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, a        nitro, an azido, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfonamido, —CF₃,        —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, (CH₂)_(m)OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R³,        —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkenyl, or —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   R2 represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower        alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(═O)-alkyl, —C(═O)-alkenyl,        —C(═O)-alkynyl, or —C(═O)—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   R³ represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, or a substituted        or unsubstituted lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl,        cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or heterocycle;    -   R⁴ represents a hydrogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a        lower alkynyl, (CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OH, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R₇, —(CH₂)_(n)—SH, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(O)C(O)NH₂, or —C(O)C(O)OR⁸;    -   R⁵ represents O or S;    -   R⁶ represents N₃, SH, NH₂, NO₂ or OR⁸;    -   R⁷ represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl, an amine, OR⁸, or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or R⁵ and R⁶ taken together        with the phosphorous atom to which they are attached complete a        heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring        structure;    -   R⁸ represents, hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,        alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or        heterocyclyl;    -   R¹⁰ is absent or represents one to three substitutions to the        ring Z to which they are appended, each of which can        independently be a halogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a        lower alkynyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an ester, a        formate, or a ketone), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a        thioacetate, or a thioformate), an amino, an acylamino, an        amido, a cyano, an isocyano, a thiocyanato, an isothiocyanato, a        cyanato, a nitro, an azido, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a        sulfonamido, lower alkyl-C(O)OH, —O-(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH,        -guanidinyl; —(CH₂)_(m)—R₇, —(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R³,        —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and    -   m is 0, 1, 2, or 3.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the immuno-DASH inhibitorrepresented by formula IV, or a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   wherein    -   ring A represents a 3-10 membered ring structure including the        N;    -   ring Z represents a 4-10 membered heterocycle including the N        and the Cu carbon;    -   W represents —CN, —CH═NR⁴, a functional group which reacts with        an active site residue of the target, or

-   -   X is O or S;    -   X¹ represents a halogen;    -   Y¹ and Y² are independently OH, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached represent a group that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached form a 5-8 membered ring that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid;    -   R¹ is absent or represents a halogen, a lower alkyl, a lower        alkenyl, a lower alkynyl, a carbonyl, a thiocarbonyl, an amino,        an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a sulfate, a        sulfonate, a sulfonamido, —CF₃, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(m)OH,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkenyl, or —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   R² represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower        alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(═O)-alkyl, —C(═O)-alkenyl,        —C(═O)-alkynyl, or —C(═O)—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   R³ represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, or a substituted        or unsubstituted lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl,        cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or heterocycle;    -   R⁴ represents a hydrogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a        lower alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OH, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R₇, —(CH₂)_(n)—SH, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(O)C(O)NH₂, or —C(O)C(O)OR⁸;    -   R⁵ represents O or S;    -   R⁶ represents N₃, SH, NH₂, NO₂ or OR⁸;    -   R⁷ represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl, an amine, OR⁸, or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or R⁵ and R⁶ taken together        with the phosphorous atom to which they are attached complete a        heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring        structure;    -   R⁸ represents, hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,        alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or        heterocyclyl;    -   R⁹ and R¹⁰, each independently, are absent or represents one to        three substitutions to the ring A or to the ring Z to which they        are appended, each of which can independently be a halogen, a        lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a lower alkynyl, a carbonyl (such        as a carboxyl, an ester, a formate, or a ketone), a thiocarbonyl        (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an        amino, an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, an isocyano, a        thiocyanato, an isothiocyanato, a cyanato, a nitro, an azido, a        sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfonamido, —(CH₂)_(m)—R7,        —(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower        alkenyl, (CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(m)—SH,        —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkenyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and    -   m is 0, 1, 2, or 3.

In certain preferred embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor is a boronicacid inhibitor of the DASH enzymes DPP8 and DPP9 (and optionally alsoDPP-4 and/or FAP).

In certain preferred embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor is adipeptide boronic acid inhibitor of the DASH enzymes DPP8 and DPP9 (andoptionally also DPP-4 and/or FAP). In certain preferred embodiments, theimmuno-DASH inhibitor the dipeptide boronic acid has a proline orproline analog in the P1 position. The subject immuno-DASH inhibitorscan mediate tumor regression by immune-mediated mechanisms. The subjectI-DASH inhibitors induce macrophage pyroptosis, and directly orindirectly have such activities as immunogenic modulation, sensitizetumor cells to antigen-specific CTL killing, alter immune-cell subsetsand function, accelerate T cell priming via modulation of dendritic celltrafficking, and invoke a general T-cell mediated antitumor activity.

In certain embodiments, the subject combination of immuno-DASH inhibitorand PGE2 antagonist can be administered as part of a therapy involvingone or more other chemotherapeutic agents, immuno-oncology agents orradiation. It can also be used a part of therapy including tumorvaccines, adoptive cell therapy, gene therapy, oncolytic viral therapiesand the like.

In certain preferred embodiments, the combination of PGE2 antagonist andimmuno-DASH inhibitor can be administered as part of a broadercombination therapy with other immuno-oncology treatments, such as, toillustrate, PD-1 antagonists (such as anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1antibodies and small molecule antagonists of PD-1/PD-L1 signalling), aCTLA-4 antagonist (such as anti-CTLA4 antibodies), a VEGF antagonist(such as an anti-VEGF-2 like Cyramza), an EGFr antagonist (such as ananti-EGFr antibody like Necitumumab), an IDO inhibitor (such as NLG919),an IDO1 inhibtor (such as Epacadostat), an anti-B7-H3 antibody (such asMGA271), an anti-GITR antibody (such a MK-4166), an HDAC inhibitor (suchas entiostat), an anti-CD137 antibody (such as Urelumab or PF-05082566),an anti-CD20 antibody (such as Ublituximab or Gazyva), a PI3K deltainhibitor (such as TGR-1202), an IL-15 agonist (such as IL15Ra-Fc fusionprotein ALT-803), a CXCR4 antagonist (such as Ulocuplumab, Plerixaforand BL-8040), a CXCL12 antagonist (such as the Spiegelmer NOX-A12), aDNMT inhibitor (such as azacitidine), an anti-LAG3 antibody (such asBMS-986016 or LAG525), interleukin-21, an anti-KIR antibody (such asLirilumab), an anti-CD27 antibody (such as Varlilumab), an anti-CSF-1Rantibody (such as FPA008 or R05509554), an anti-CCR4 antibody (such asMogamulizumab), GMCSF (such as sargamostim), an anti-PS antibody (suchas Bavituximab), an anti-CD30 antibody-aurstatin E conjugate (such asAdcetris), an anti-CD19 antibody (such as MEDI-551), a CD40 agonist(such as R07009789), and anti-CEA IL-2 antibody (such as RG7813), ananti-OX40 antibody (such as RG7888 or MEDI-6469), an OX40 agonist (suchas MEDI6383), an anti-NY-ESO-1 antibody (such as CDX-1401), ananti-NKG2A antibody (such as IPH2201), a STING agonist, a NRLP 1 and/orNRLP3 agonist, or an anti-CD73 antibody (such as MEDI9447).

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of enhancinga cell-mediated immune response against a cancer, comprisingadministering to a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effectiveamount of a PD-1 inhibitor and a PGE2 antagonist (i.e., a PGE2 pathwayinhibitor).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of the immune mechanism mediated byextracellular and intracellular targets of the subject immuno-DASHinhibitors, with the up- and down-arrows (and associated text)indicating the inhibition or stimulation/prolongation of a particulareffect (direct or indirect). MDSC=Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cell.TAM=Tumor Associated Macrophage. Immune wheel adapted from Chen andMellman 2013, Immunity 39(1):1-10.

FIG. 2 depicts tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) as central immuneregulators of the tumor microenvironment. Adapted from Noy and Pollard.Immunity (2014) 41, 49-81.

FIG. 3 is a simple graphical representation of the interplay betweenDPP8 and DPP9 inhibition as an induction event, and DPP4 inhibition as aprolongation event.

FIG. 4 shows the developing correlation between potency for inhibitionof DPP8 and DPP9 when used to treat whole cells (intracellular IC₅₀ orIIC₅₀) and the IC₅₀ for inducing pyroptosis of macrophages in cellculture.

FIG. 5 is a schematic showing the caspase-1 dependent pyroptosispathway, and IL-1b release, that I-DASH inhibitors are understood totrigger, as well as the induction of a prostaglandin pathway that isconsistent with the dose limiting toxicities of Talabostat.

FIG. 6 shows the maximum tolerated dose study results (single dose) oftreating Sprague Dawley rats with Val-boroPro (Valine-boroProline) withand without combination with the cyclooxygenase inhibitors celecoxib (aCOX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), indomethacin (anonselective inhibitor of COX-1 and COX-2) and SC-560. Bars show the MTDsingle dose in SD rats prior to seeing animal death. Based on serum druglevels, the addition of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor to the I-DASHinhibitor increases that MTD dose from 47 to 75-fold. See also FIG. 17for a similar comparison using cPLA2 inhibitors instead of COXinhibitors.

FIGS. 7-10 show the results of treating MB49 tumor bearing mice withVal-boroPro (Valine-boroProline) with and without combination withcelecoxib. FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show the measured tumor volumes over time,while FIG. 10 shows the individual animal tumor growth curves for theVal-boroPro (+/−celecoxib) treated groups. Treatment with vehicle(control) or Val-boroPro began at Day 3 after tumor innoculation, andwas administered on days 4-8, 11-15 and 18-22.

FIG. 11 depicts high potency, as measured by EnPlex, of ARI-5544,ARI-4175CH, ARI-3102C, ARI-5836, ARI-4175, ARI-3102A, ARI-2107, andARI-2054 as inhibitors of DPP8/9 (IC₅₀s for DPP9<50 pM).

FIG. 12 indicates that ARI-4268 displays antitumor activity in the MB49mouse tumor model at doses indicating improved therapeutic index—evenwith truncated dosing schedules.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show the antitumor activity of ARI-5870 in the MB49mouse tumor model, alone or when combined with Celebrex (COX inhibitor)or an anti-PD-1 antibody or both.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show the antitumor activity of ARI-4268 in the MB49mouse tumor model, alone or when combined with Celebrex (COX inhibitor)or an anti-PD-1 antibody or both.

FIG. 17 shows the maximum tolerated dose study results (single dose) oftreating Sprague Dawley rats with Val-boroPro (Valine-boroProline) withand without combination with cPLA2 inhibitors Pyrrophenone and AACOCF3.Bars show the MTD single dose in SD rats prior to seeing animal death.Based on serum drug levels, the addition of a cPLA2 inhibitor to theI-DASH inhibitor increases that MTD dose by at least 20-fold.

Of the animals indicated to have “regressed” in FIGS. 10, 12, 14 and 16,more than 80 percent of those animals maintained immunity to the MB49tumor and did not grow new tumors when rechallenged with the MB49 tumorcells 30 days after the last dose of I-DASH inhibitor had beenadministered, indicating a T-cell mediated immune response was invokedby the therapies including the I-DASH inhibitor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

The immuno-DASH (I-DASH) inhibitors of the combination therapies of thepresent invention are multimediator immuo-oncology agents targeting anovel checkpoint pathway involving macrophages through DPP8 and DPP9inhibition, and chemokine/cytokine signaling pathways (such as CXCL10)though DPP4 and (potentially) FAP inhibition.

FIG. 1 shows the direct and indirect effects on tumor-directed immuneresponses that are brought about by treatment with the immuno-DASHinhibitors of the present invention. For instance, merely to illustrate,the present immuno-DASH inhibitors are able to:

-   -   induce programmed cell death selectively in macrophages;    -   reduce monocytic MDSCs in tumor;    -   reduce T-cell suppressive activity of granulocytic MDSCs;    -   enhance trafficking of key effector immunocytes;    -   increase levels of NK and dendritic cells;    -   accelerate expansion of tumor specific T-cells;    -   sensitize carcinoma cells to CTL killing;    -   induces the expression of cell surface proteins on tumor cells        increasing immune reactivity, such as increased expression of        MHC class I proteins, calireticulin and/or tumor cell antigens;    -   induce immunostimulatory cytokines and chemokines; and    -   stabilizes biologically active forms of several key cytokines        and chemokines—including CXCL10

In cell culture, only macrophage (and macrophage derived cells such asAML cells) are killed by I-DASH inhibitors, and through a mechanisminvolving pyroptosis. I-DASH inhibitors are not directly toxic tonon-macrophage normal or tumor cells. As shown in FIG. 2,tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) express an array of effectormolecules that inhibit the antitumor immune responses; this includescell surface receptors, cytokines, chemokines, and enzymes. While notwishing to be bound by any particular theory, by selectively targetingtumor-associated macrophages to undergo pyroptosis by virtue of theselectivity of those cells to DPP8/DPP9 inhibition relative to othercells, immuno-DASH inhibitors can remove multiple immune checkpoint inthe tumor microenvironment.

In the proposed mechanism-of-action, potent and prolonged (long K_(off)rate) inhibition of DPP8 and DPP9 induces release of immunostimulatorycytokines such as IL-1beta, potentially involving programmed cell deathof macrophage through pyroptosis, which leads to stimulation of immuneresponses and de-repression of immunosuppressive actions of thetumor-associated macrophages. While inhibition of DPP8 and DPP9represent the induction of the response, inhibition of DPP4 and(potentially) FAP represent the prolongation mechanism, increasing theserum half-life of chemokines and cytokines, such as CXCL10, whichenhance trafficking of immune cells to the tumor. See FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates that more effective and potentially safer immuno-DASHinhibitors can be identified by optimizing inhibitors according tointracellular IC50 (“IIC50”) for DPP8 and DPP9 inhibition, and that(again, not wishing to be bound by any particular theory), the potencyof the agent being able to induce pyroptosis in macrophages in vitro.

However, at the time of the Talabostat clinical trials, the underlyingmechanism of action giving rise to the dose limiting toxicity was notknown, nor was there any understanding of whether the toxicity was aconsequence of on-target or off-target effects of the drug. The presentinvention derives from the discovery of the antitumor mechanism ofaction of I-DASH inhibitors involving selective pyroptosis ofmacrophages. As illustrated in FIG. 5, inhibition of DPP8/9 activitiesin macrophage leads selectively to the caspase-1 mediated immunogenicdeath phenomena known as pyroptosis, which leads to the release of avariety of antitumor cytokines that are understood to produce/enhancethe T-cell mediated immunological response to tumors observed withI-DASH inhibitors. The present invention is based on the additionalobservations that: (i) induction of pyroptosis in other contexts alsoresults in the activation of eicosanoid production pathway(s) involvingcyclooxygenase(s) and phospholipase enzymes with the production of suchinflammatory eicosanoids as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2); (ii) retrospectiveanalysis of the Talabostat clinical trial revealed two features—a doselimiting toxicity that was consistent with inflammatory eicosanoidsrelease, particularly PGE2, and that in the one phase 2 study involvingcohorts of two different drug doses there were signals of potentialefficacy (albeit modest) amongst the secondary endpoints measured,indicating that could the dose limiting toxicity be mitigated andTalabostat be dosed at 2, 5 or even 10 times higher concentration thatthe primary and secondary endpoints of the study might have been met.

However, a priori, it would have been neither apparent nor predictableas to what effect the addition of a PGE2 antagonist, such as a COXinhibitor, would have on the antitumor activity of an I-DASH inhibitor.Until the observations made herein, one of skill in the art would notunderstand to what extent, if any, if prostaglandin release and/or theactivities of enzymes such as cyclooxygenases and phospholipases wererequired for the antitumor activity of the I-DASH inhibitor, or if thePGE2 pathway could be successfully inhibited without mitigating theantitumor activity—particularly the ability of the I-DASH inhibitor toproduce complete regression of tumors and T-cell dependent immunity totumor rechallenge.

FIG. 6 shows the maximum tolerated dose study results (single dose) oftreating Sprague Dawley rats with Val-boroPro (Valine-boroProline) withand without various cyclooxygenase inhibitors, such as celecoxib (aCOX-2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug), indomethacin (anonselective inhibitor of COX-1 and COX-2) and SC-560. Bars show the MTDsingle dose in SD rats prior to seeing animal death. Based on serum druglevels, the addition of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor to the I-DASHinhibitor increases that MTD dose from 47 to 75-fold.

These findings indicated that that the combination of I-DASH inhibitorswith PGE2 antagonists, particularly COX inhibitors, could provide anincreased safety profile by increasing the maximum tolerated dose ofI-DASH inhibitor that might be given to patients. FIGS. 7-10 demonstratethat not only does addition of celecoxib not mute the antitumor activityof Val-boroPro, but celecoxib has a synergistic effect enhancing theantitumor activity of Val-boroPro. At various concentrations ofcelecoxib alone, there was no observed differences in tumor growth ratescompared to control (vehicle). See FIG. 7. However, celecoxib increasedthe antitumor activity of Val-boroPro markedly (statisticallysignificantly) and in a dose-dependent manner. See FIGS. 8 and 9.Considering the individual animal curves, see FIG. 10, the combinationnot only produced dramatic differences in tumor growth rates, but italso facilitated the achievement of tumor regression at the 20 microgramdose of Val-boroPro, which in this experiment did produce that effect byitself at that dose.

II. Definitions

For convenience, before further description of the present invention,certain terms employed in the specification, examples, and appendedclaims are collected here.

The term “alkyl” refers to the radical of saturated aliphatic groups,including straight-chain alkyl groups, branched-chain alkyl groups,cycloalkyl (alicyclic) groups, alkyl substituted cycloalkyl groups, andcycloalkyl substituted alkyl groups. In certain embodiments, a straightchain or branched chain alkyl has 30 or fewer carbon atoms in itsbackbone (e.g., C₁-C₃₀ for straight chain, C₃-C₃₀ for branched chain),for example, 20 or fewer. Likewise, certain cycloalkyls have from 3-10carbon atoms in their ring structure, for example, 5, 6 or 7 carbons inthe ring structure. “Alkyl” (or “lower alkyl”) as used throughout thespecification and claims is intended to include both “unsubstitutedalkyls” and “substituted alkyls”.

The term “aralkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substitutedwith an aryl group (e.g., an aromatic or heteroaromatic group).

The terms “alkenyl” and “alkynyl” refer to unsaturated aliphatic groupsanalogous in length and possible substitution to the alkyls describedabove, but that contain at least one double or triple bond respectively.

Unless the number of carbons is otherwise specified, “lower alkyl” asused herein means an alkyl group, as defined above, but having from oneto ten carbons, for example, from one to four or one to six carbon atomsin its backbone structure. Likewise, “lower alkenyl” and “lower alkynyl”have similar chain lengths. In some embodiments, alkyl groups are loweralkyls. In some embodiments, a substituent designated herein as alkyl isa lower alkyl.

The term “aryl” as used herein includes 5-, 6- and 7-memberedsingle-ring aromatic groups that may include from zero to fourheteroatoms, for example, benzene, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole,oxazole, thiazole, triazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazineand pyrimidine, and the like. Those aryl groups having heteroatoms inthe ring structure may also be referred to as “aryl heterocycles” or“heteroaromatics”. The aromatic ring can be substituted at one or morering positions with such substituents as described above, for example,halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl,amino, nitro, sulfhydryl, imino, amido, phosphionate, phosphinate,carbonyl, carboxyl, silyl, ether, alkylthio, sulfonyl, sulfonamido,ketone, aldehyde, ester, heterocyclyl, aromatic or heteroaromaticmoieties, —CF₃, —CN, or the like. The term “aryl” also includespolycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two ormore carbons are common to two adjoining rings (the rings are “fusedrings”) wherein at least one of the rings is aromatic, e.g., the othercyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, arylsand/or heterocyclyls.

The terms “heterocyclyl” or “heterocyclic group” refer to 3- to10-membered ring structures, for example, 3- to 7-membered rings, whosering structures include one to four heteroatoms. Heterocycles can alsobe polycycles. Heterocyclyl groups include, for example, thiophene,thianthrene, furan, pyran, isobenzofuran, chromene, xanthene,phenoxathiin, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, isothiazole, isoxazole,pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, indolizine, isoindole,indole, indazole, purine, quinolizine, isoquinoline, quinoline,phthalazine, naphthyridine, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline,pteridine, carbazole, carboline, phenanthridine, acridine, pyrimidine,phenanthroline, phenazine, phenarsazine, phenothiazine, furazan,phenoxazine, pyrrolidine, oxolane, thiolane, oxazole, piperidine,piperazine, morpholine, lactones, lactams such as azetidinones andpyrrolidinones, sultams, sultones, and the like. The heterocyclic ringcan be substituted at one or more positions with such substituents asdescribed above, as for example, halogen, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, sulfhydryl, imino, amido,phosphonate, phosphinate, carbonyl, carboxyl, silyl, ether, alkylthio,sulfonyl, ketone, aldehyde, ester, a heterocyclyl, an aromatic orheteroaromatic moiety, —CF₃, —CN, or the like.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to a monovalent aromatic monocyclic ringsystem wherein at least one ring atoms is a heteroatom independentlyselected from the group consisting of O, N and S. The term 5-memberedheteroaryl refers to a heteroaryl wherein the number of ring atoms is 5.Examples of 5-membered heteroaryl groups include pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl,oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl,thiadiazolyl, furazanyl, imidazolinyl, and triazolyl.

The term “heterocycloalkyl” refers to a monocyclic or bicyclicmonovalent saturated or non-aromatic unsaturated ring system whereinfrom 1 to 4 ring atoms are heteroatoms independently selected from thegroup consisting of O, N and S. The term “3 to 10-memberedheterocycloalkyl” refers to a heterocycloalkyl wherein the number ofring atoms is from 3 to 10. Examples of 3 to 10-memberedheterocycloalkyl include 3 to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl. Bicyclic ringsystems include fused, bridged, and spirocyclic ring systems. Moreparticular examples of heterocycloalkyl groups include azepanyl,azetidinyl, aziridinyl, imidazolidinyl, morpholinyl, oxazolidinyl,oxazolidinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrrolidinyl,quinuclidinyl, and thiomorpholinyl.

The terms “polycyclyl” or “polycyclic group” refer to two or more rings(e.g., cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls and/orheterocyclyls) in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoiningrings, e.g., the rings are “fused rings”. Rings that are joined throughnon-adjacent atoms are termed “bridged” rings. Each of the rings of thepolycycle can be substituted with such substituents as described above,as for example, halogen, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl,hydroxyl, amino, nitro, sulfhydryl, imino, amido, phosphonate,phosphinate, carbonyl, carboxyl, silyl, ether, alkylthio, sulfonyl,ketone, aldehyde, ester, a heterocyclyl, an aromatic or heteroaromaticmoiety, —CF₃, —CN, or the like.

The term “carbocycle”, as used herein, refers to an aromatic ornon-aromatic ring in which each atom of the ring is carbon.

The term “heteroatom” as used herein means an atom of any element otherthan carbon or hydrogen. Examplery heteroatoms are nitrogen, oxygen,sulfur and phosphorous.

As used herein, the term “nitro” means —NO₂; the term “halogen”designates —F, —Cl, —Br or —I; the term “sulfhydryl” means —SH; the term“hydroxyl” means —OH; and the term “sulfonyl” means —SO₂—.

“Halogen” or “halo” by themselves or as part of another substituentrefers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, or fluoro, chloro,bromo and iodo.

It will be understood that “substitution” or “substituted with” includesthe implicit proviso that such substitution is in accordance withpermitted valence of the substituted atom and the substituent, and thatthe substitution results in a stable compound, e.g., which does notspontaneously undergo transformation such as by rearrangement,cyclization, elimination, etc. As used herein, the term “substituted” iscontemplated to include all permissible substituents of organiccompounds. In a broad aspect, the permissible substituents includeacyclic and cyclic, branched and unbranched, carbocyclic andheterocyclic, aromatic and nonaromatic substituents of organiccompounds. Illustrative substituents include, for example, thosedescribed hereinabove. The permissible substituents can be one or moreand the same or different for appropriate organic compounds.Substituents can include, for example, a halogen, a hydroxyl, a carbonyl(such as a carboxyl, an ester, a formyl, or a ketone), a thiocarbonyl(such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an alkoxyl, aphosphoryl, a phosphonate, a phosphinate, an amino, an amido, anamidine, an imine, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a sulfhydryl, analkylthio, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfamoyl, a sulfonamido, asulfonyl, a heterocyclyl, an aralkyl, or an aromatic or heteroaromaticmoiety. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that themoieties substituted on the hydrocarbon chain can themselves besubstituted, if appropriate. For instance, the substituents of asubstituted alkyl may include substituted and unsubstituted forms ofamino, azido, imino, amido, phosphoryl (including phosphonate andphosphinate), sulfonyl (including sulfate, sulfonamido, sulfamoyl andsulfonate), and silyl groups, as well as ethers, alkylthios, carbonyls(including ketones, aldehydes, carboxylates, and esters), —CF₃, —CN andthe like. Exemplary substituted alkyls are described below. Cycloalkylscan be further substituted with alkyls, alkenyls, alkoxys, alkylthios,aminoalkyls, carbonyl-substituted alkyls, —CF₃, —CN, and the like. Forpurposes of this invention, the heteroatoms such as nitrogen may havehydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents of organiccompounds described herein which satisfy the valencies of theheteroatoms. This invention is not intended to be limited in any mannerby the permissible substituents of organic compounds.

By the terms “amino acid residue” and “peptide residue” is meant anamino acid or peptide molecule without the —OH of its carboxyl group. Ingeneral, the abbreviations used herein for designating the amino acidsand the protective groups are based on recommendations of the IUPAC-IUBCommission on Biochemical Nomenclature (see Biochemistry (1972)11:1726-1732). For instance, Met, Ile, Leu, Ala and Gly represent“residues” of methionine, isoleucine, leucine, alanine and glycine,respectively. By the residue is meant a radical derived from thecorresponding alpha-amino acid by eliminating the OH portion of thecarboxyl group and the H portion of the alpha-amino group. The term“amino acid side chain” is that part of an amino acid exclusive of the—CH(NH₂)COOH portion, as defined by K. D. Kopple, “Peptides and AminoAcids”, W. A. Benjamin Inc., New York and Amsterdam, 1966, pages 2 and33.

For the most part, the amino acids used in the application of thisinvention are those naturally occurring amino acids found in proteins,or the naturally occurring anabolic or catabolic products of such aminoacids which contain amino and carboxyl groups. Particularly suitableamino acid side chains include side chains selected from those of thefollowing amino acids: glycine, alanine, valine, cysteine, leucine,isoleucine, serine, threonine, methionine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid,glutamine, asparagine, lysine, arginine, proline, histidine,phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, and those amino acids and aminoacid analogs which have been identified as constituents ofpeptidylglycan bacterial cell walls.

The term amino acid residue further includes analogs, derivatives andcongeners of any specific amino acid referred to herein, as forinstance, the subject compound can include an amino acid analog such as,for example, cyanoalanine, canavanine, djenkolic acid, norleucine,3-phosphoserine, homoserine, dihydroxy-phenylalanine,5-hydroxytryptophan, 1-methylhistidine, 3-methylhistidine,diaminiopimelic acid, omithine, or diaminobutyric acid. Other naturallyoccurring amino acid metabolites or precursors having side chains whichare suitable herein will be recognized by those skilled in the art andare included in the scope of the present invention.

Also included are the (D) and (L) stereoisomers of such amino acids whenthe structure of the amino acid admits of stereoisomeric forms. Theconfiguration of the amino acids and amino acid residues herein aredesignated by the appropriate symbols (D), (L) or (DL), furthermore whenthe configuration is not designated the amino acid or residue can havethe configuration (D), (L) or (DL). It will be noted that the structureof some of the compounds of this invention includes asymmetric carbonatoms. It is to be understood accordingly that the isomers arising fromsuch asymmetry are included within the scope of this invention. Suchisomers can be obtained in substantially pure form by classicalseparation techniques and by sterically controlled synthesis. For thepurposes of this application, unless expressly noted to the contrary, anamed amino acid shall be construed to include both the (D) or (L)stereoisomers.

As noted above, certain compounds of the present invention may exist inparticular geometric or stereoisomeric forms. The present inventioncontemplates all such compounds, including cis- and trans-isomers, R-and S-enantiomers, diastereomers, (D)-isomers, (L)-isomers, the racemicmixtures thereof, and other mixtures thereof, as, falling within thescope of the invention. Additional asymmetric carbon atoms may bepresent in a substituent such as an alkyl group. All such isomers, aswell as mixtures thereof, are intended to be included in this invention.

If, for instance, a particular enantiomer of a compound of the presentinvention is desired, it may be prepared by asymmetric synthesis, or byderivation with a chiral auxiliary, where the resulting diastereomericmixture is separated and the auxiliary group cleaved to provide the puredesired enantiomers. Alternatively, where the molecule contains a basicfunctional group, such as amino, or an acidic functional group, such ascarboxyl, diastereomeric salts are formed with an appropriateoptically-active acid or base, followed by resolution of thediastereomers thus formed by fractional crystallization orchromatographic means well known in the art, and subsequent recovery ofthe pure enantiomers.

The term “prodrug” as used herein encompasses compounds that, underphysiological conditions, are converted into therapeutically activeagents. A common method for making a prodrug is to include selectedmoieties that are hydrolyzed under physiological conditions to revealthe desired molecule. In other embodiments, the prodrug is converted byan enzymatic activity of the host animal.

The term “IC₅₀” refers to the concentration of an inhibitor where theresponse (or binding) is reduced by half, and can be measured in wholecell, animals or in vitro cell-free (purified enzyme) systems.Inhibition of cell-free enzyme may also be reported as Ki values withsome formal kinetics measurements.

The term “ICIC₅₀” or “IIC₅₀” is the measure of DPP8 and DPP9 inhibitionin the context of a whole cell such that cell permeability becomes afactor (DPP8 and DPP9, which are cell permeable, the purified enzymesmiss the cell permeable requirements for measuring IC₅₀)

The term “DPP4” refers to the protein dipeptidyl peptidase 4.

The term “DPP8” refers to the protein dipeptidyl peptidase 8.

The term “DPP9” refers to the protein dipeptidyl peptidase 9.

For purposes of this invention, the chemical elements are identified inaccordance with the Periodic Table of the Elements, CAS version,Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 67th Ed., 1986-87, inside cover. Alsofor purposes of this invention, the term “hydrocarbon” is contemplatedto include all permissible compounds having at least one hydrogen andone carbon atom. In a broad aspect, the permissible hydrocarbons includeacyclic and cyclic, branched and unbranched, carbocyclic andheterocyclic, aromatic and nonaromatic organic compounds which can besubstituted or unsubstituted.

The term “EnPlex” refers to a purified enzyme activity assay describedin Bachovchin et al. Nature Chemical Biology 10, 656-663 (2014).Briefly, purified enzymes are coupled to Luminex microspheres, with adifferent bead color for each enzyme. Multiplexed bead complexes areincubated with a compound before being treated with a biotinylatedactivity-based probe and a streptavidin R-phycoerythrin conjugate(SAPE). The mixtures are scanned on a Luminex flow cytometer, where onelaser detects the bead color (enzyme identity) and a second laserdetects the R-phycoerythrin signal (enzyme activity). The enzymeconcentration is calculated assuming 100% of the protein was coupled tothe beads.

An “Enplex IC₅₀” is the IC₅₀ for enzyme inhibition as measured usingEnPlex.

The terms “P1 position” and “P2 position”, in the case of a dipeptide(or dipeptide analog), refer to the carboxy and amino terminal residues,respectively. In the case of the subject I-DASH inhibitors, the P1position is the amino acid (or amino acid analog) in which the boronicacid replaces the carboxy terminus.

III. Exemplary Embodiments

One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of enhancing acell-mediated immune response against a cancer, comprising administeringto a mammal in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of animmuno-DASH (I-DASH) inhibitor and a PD-1 antagonist, wherein the I-DASHinhibitor inhibits the enzymatic activity of DPP8, DPP9 and DPP 4, theI-DASH inhibitor having IC₅₀ values for inhibition of DPP4, DPP8 andDPP9 that are within 2 orders of magnitude of each other; and whereinthe combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor and PD-1 pathway inhibitorinduces and/or enhances cell-mediated immune response against the tumor.

In certain preferred embodiments of the subject method, theimmuno-DASH-inhibitor possess an intracellular IC₅₀ for DPP8 and DPP9inhibition less than 100 nM, an in vitro IC₅₀ of less than 100 nM forDPP4 inhibition, an IC₅₀ of less than 100 nM for inducing pyroptosis ofmacrophage in cell culture, and a k_(off) rate for interaction with DPP4less than 1×10⁻⁴/sec.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to any one of theforegoing methods, wherein the cancer is selected from the groupconsisting of basal cell carcinoma, biliary tract cancer, bladdercancer, bone cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer,choriocarcinoma, CNS cancer, colon and rectum cancer, connective tissuecancer, cancer of the digestive system, endometrial cancer, esophagealcancer, eye cancer, cancer of the head and neck, gastric cancer,intra-epithelial neoplasm, kidney cancer, larynx cancer, leukemia, acutemyeloid leukemia, acute lymphoid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia,chronic lymphoid leukemia, liver cancer, small cell lung cancer,non-small cell lung cancer, lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin'slymphoma, melanoma, myeloma, myeloproliferative disease, neuroblastoma,oral cavity cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer,retinoblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, rectal cancer, renal cancer, cancer ofthe respiratory system, sarcoma, skin cancer, stomach cancer, testicularcancer, thyroid cancer, uterine cancer, and cancer of the urinarysystem.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to any one of theforegoing methods, wherein: the maximum tolerated dose of theimmune-DASH inhibitor in C57BL/6 mice is at least 10 mg/kg; and theimmune-DASH inhibitor induces fill cancer regression in C57BL/6 mice ata dose less than the maximum tolerated dose in C57BL/6 mice.

In some embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor is administered orally orparenterally.

In some embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor is administered orally.

In some embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor is administeredparenterally.

In some embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor is administeredtopically.

In some embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor is administered in asolid dosage form.

In some embodiments, the solid dosage form is a tablet, capsule or pill.

In some embodiments, the solid dosage form is a tablet.

In some embodiments, the immune-DASH inhibitor is administered in anamount sufficient to stimulate the immune system without dose limitingtoxicity.

A. Exemplary Immuno-DASH Inhibitors

A representative class of immune-DASH inhibitors for use in the subjectmethods of the present invention are represented by the general formula;

wherein

-   -   A represents a 4-8 membered heterocycle including the N and the        Ca carbon;    -   Z represents C or N;    -   W represents —CN, —CH═NR5,

-   -   R1 represents a C-terminally linked amino acid residue or amino        acid analog, or a C-terminally linked peptide or peptide analog,        or an amino-protecting group, or

-   -   R2 is absent or represents one or more substitutions to the ring        A, each of which can independently be a halogen, a lower alkyl,        a lower alkenyl, a lower alkynyl, a carbonyl (such as a        carboxyl, an ester, a formate, or a ketone), a thiocarbonyl        (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an        amino, an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a        sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfonamido, —(CH₂)_(m)—R7,        —(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower        alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—SH,        —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkenyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R7;    -   if X is N, R3 represents hydrogen, if X is C, R3 represents        hydrogen or a halogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a lower        alkynyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an ester, a formate, or        a ketone), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate,        or a thioformate), an amino, an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, a        nitro, an azido, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfonamido,        —(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7,        —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R7;    -   R5 represents H, an alkyl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, —C(X1)(X2)X3,        —(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(n)—OH, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(n)—SH, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—S-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-alkynyl,        (CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —C(O)C(O)NH₂, —C(O)C(O)OR′7;    -   R6 represents hydrogen, a halogen, a alkyl, a alkenyl, a        alkynyl, an aryl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—OH,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R7,    -   R7 represents, for each occurrence, a substituted or        unsubstituted aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or        heterocycle;    -   R′7 represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, or a substituted        or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl,        cycloalkenyl, or heterocycle; and    -   Y1 and Y2 can independently or together be OH, or a group        capable of being hydrolyzed to a hydroxyl group, including        cyclic derivatives where Y1 and Y2 are connected via a ring        having from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring structure (such as pinacol        or the like),    -   R50 represents O or S;    -   R51 represents N₃, SH₂, NH₂, NO₂ or OR′7;    -   R52 represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl, an amine, OR′7, or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or R51 and R52 taken together        with the phosphorous atom to which they are attached complete a        heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring structure    -   X1 represents a halogen;    -   X2 and X3 each represent a hydrogen or a halogen    -   m is zero or an integer in the range of 1 to 8; and n    -   is an integer in the range of 1 to 8.

In preferred embodiments, the ring A is a 5, 6 or 7 membered ring, e.g.,represented by the formula

and more preferably a 5 or 6 membered ring (i.e., n is 1 or 2, though nmay also be 3 or 4). The ring may, optionally, be further substituted.

In preferred embodiments, W represents

In preferred embodiments, W represents

In preferred embodiments, R1 is

-   -   wherein R36 is a small hydrophobic group, e.g., a lower alkyl or        a halogen and R38 is hydrogen, or, R36 and R37 together form a        4-7 membered heterocycle including the N and the Ca carbon, as        defined for A above; and R40 represents a C-terminally linked        amino acid residue or amino acid analog, or a C-terminally        linked peptide or peptide analog, or an amino-protecting group.        In certain preferred embodiments, R36 is a lower alkyl (C1-C6),        such as a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl or        tert-butyl group, and R38 and R40 are each hydrogen. In certain        preferred embodiments, R1 is a valine amino acid residue. In        certain preferred embodiments, R1 is a t-bytyl glycine residue.

In preferred embodiments, R2 is absent, or represents a smallhydrophobic group such as a lower alkyl or a halogen.

In preferred embodiments, R3 is a hydrogen, or a small hydrophobic groupsuch as a lower alkyl or a halogen.

In preferred embodiments, R5 is a hydrogen, or a halogenated loweralkyl.

In preferred embodiments, X1 is a fluorine, and X2 and X3, if halogens,are fluorine.

Also deemed as equivalents are any compounds which can be hydrolyticallyconverted into any of the aforementioned compounds including boronicacid esters and halides, and carbonyl equivalents including acetals,hemiacetals, ketals, and hemiketals, and cyclic dipeptide analogs.

In certain preferred embodiments, the subject method utilizes, as aimmuno-DASH inhibitor, a boronic acid analogs of an amino acid. Forexample, the present invention contemplates the use of boro-prolylderivatives in the subject method. Exemplary boronic acid derivedinhibitors of the present invention are represented by the generalformula:

-   -   wherein    -   R1 represents a C-terminally linked amino acid residue or amino        acid analog, or a terminally linked peptide or peptide analog,        or

-   -   R6 represents hydrogen, a halogen, a alkyl, a alkenyl, a        alkynyl, an aryl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R7, (CH₂)_(m)—OH,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R7,

-   -   R7 represents an aryl, a cycloalkyl, a cycloalkenyl, or a        heterocycle;    -   R8 and R9 each independently represent hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl,        —(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —C(═O)-alkyl, —C(═O)-alkenyl, —C(═O)-alkynyl,        —C(═O)—(CH₂)_(m)—R7,    -   or R8 and R9 taken together with the N atom to which they are        attached complete a heterocyclic ring having from 4 to 8 atoms        in the ring structure;    -   R11 and R12 each independently represent hydrogen, a alkyl, or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or R11 and R12 taken together        with the O—B—O atoms to which they are attached complete a        heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring        structure;    -   m is zero or an integer in the range of 1 to 8; and    -   n is an integer in the range of 1 to 8.

In certain preferred embodiments, R1 is

-   -   wherein R36 is a small hydrophobic group, e.g., a lower alkyl or        a halogen and R38 is hydrogen, or, R36 and R37 together form a        4-7 membered heterocycle including the N and the Cα carbon, as        defined for A above; and R40 represents a C-terminally linked        amino acid residue or amino acid analog, or a C-terminally        linked peptide or peptide analog, or an amino-protecting group.        In certain preferred embodiments, R36 is a lower alkyl (C1-C6),        such as a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl or        tert-butyl group, and R38 and R40 are each hydrogen. In certain        preferred embodiments, R1 is a valine amino acid residue. In        certain preferred embodiments, R1 is a t-butyl glycine residue.

In certain embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor is a peptide orpeptidomimetic including a prolyl group or analog thereof in the P1specificity position, and a nonpolar (and preferably hydrophobic) aminoacid in the P2 specificity position, e.g., a nonpolar amino acid such asalanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophanor methionine, or an analog thereof. In other embodiments, the P2position an amino acid with charged sidechain, such as Arginine, Lysine,Aspartic acid or Glutamic Acid. For example, the immuno-DASH inhibitormay include an Ala-Pro or Val-Pro dipeptide sequence or equivalentthereof, and be represented in the general formulas:

In preferred embodiments, the ring A is a 5, 6 or 7 membered ring, e.g.,represented by the formula

In certain preferred embodiments, R32 is a small hydrophobic group,e.g., a lower alkyl or a halogen.

In certain preferred embodiments, R32 is -lower alkyl-guanidine,-lower-alkyl-amine, lower-alkyl-C(O)OH, such as—(CH₂)_(m)—NH—C(═N)(NH₂), —(CH₂)_(m)—NH₂ or —(CH2)m-COOH, where m is1-6, and preferably 1-3.

In preferred embodiments, R30 represents a C-terminally linked aminoacid residue or amino acid analog, or a C-terminally linked peptide orpeptide analog, or an amino-protecting group.

In preferred embodiments, R2 is absent, or represents a smallhydrophobic group such as a lower alkyl or a halogen.

In preferred embodiments, R3 is a hydrogen, or a small hydrophobic groupsuch as a lower alkyl or a halogen.

In certain embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor of the present methodsis represented by formula I, or a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   wherein    -   ring A represents a 3-10 membered ring structure;    -   ring Z represents a 4-10 membered heterocycle including the N        and the Ca carbon;    -   W represents —CN, —CH═NR⁴, a functional group which reacts with        an active site residue of the target, or

-   -   X is O or S;    -   X¹ represents a halogen;    -   Y¹ and Y² are independently OH, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached represent a group that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached form a 5-8 membered ring that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid;    -   R¹ is absent or represents a halogen, a lower alkyl, a lower        alkenyl, a lower alkynyl, a carbonyl, a thiocarbonyl, an amino,        an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a sulfate, a        sulfonate, a sulfonamido, —CF₃, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(m)OH,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, (CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkenyl, or —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   R² represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower        alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(═O)-alkyl, —C(═O)-alkenyl,        —C(═O)-alkynyl, or —C(═O)—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   R³ represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, or a substituted        or unsubstituted lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl,        cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or heterocycle;    -   R⁴ represents a hydrogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a        lower alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OH, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(n)—SH, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(O)C(O)NH₂, or —C(O)C(O)OR⁸;    -   R⁵ represents O or S;    -   R⁶ represents N₃, SH, NH₂, NO₂ or OR⁸;    -   R⁷ represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl, an amine, OR⁸, or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or R⁵ and R⁶ taken together        with the phosphorous atom to which they are attached complete a        heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring        structure;    -   R⁸ represents, hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,        alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or        heterocyclyl;    -   R⁹ and R¹⁰, each independently, are absent or represents one,        two, or three substitutions to the ring A or to the ring Z to        which they are appended, each of which can independently be a        halogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a lower alkynyl, a        carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an ester, a formate, or a ketone),        a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a        thioformate), an amino, an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, an        isocyano, a thiocyanato, an isothiocyanato, a cyanato, a nitro,        an azido, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfonamido, lower        alkyl-C(O)OH, —O-(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH, -guanidinyl;        —(CH₂)_(m)—R₇, —(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R³,        —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkenyl, (CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and    -   m is 0, 1, 2, or 3.

In certain embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor of Formula I isrepresented in Formula Ia, or is a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   wherein X, W, Z, R¹, R², R⁹ and R¹⁰ are as defined above for        Formula I, and p is 1, 2 or 3.

In certain preferred embodiments of Ia: R¹ is a lower alkyl; R⁹ isabsent, or independently for each occurrence, is a lower alkyl, —OH,—NH₂, —N₃, -(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH, —O-lower alkyl, —O-(loweralkyl)-C(O)OH, -guanidinyl; X is O; each R² is hydrogen, R¹⁰ is absent,or represents a single substitution of —OH, —NH₂, —CN or —N₃; and W is—B(OH)₂ or —CN (and more preferably —B(OH)₂).

In certain embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor of Formula I isrepresented in Formula Ib, or is a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   wherein X, W, R¹, R², R⁹ and R¹⁰ are as defined above for        Formula I, and p is 1, 2 or 3.

In certain preferred embodiments of Ib: R¹ is a lower alkyl; R⁹ isabsent, or independently for each occurrence, is a lower alkyl, —OH,—NH₂, —N₃, -(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH, —O-lower alkyl, —O-(loweralkyl)-C(O)OH, -guanidinyl; X is O; each R² is hydrogen, R¹⁰ is absent,or represents a single substitution of —OH, —NH₂, —CN or —N₃; and W is—B(OH)₂ or —CN (and more preferably —B(OH)₂).

In certain embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor of Formula I isrepresented in Formula Ic, or is a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   wherein X, W, R¹, R², R⁹ and R¹⁰ are as defined above for        Formula I, and p is 1, 2 or 3.

In certain preferred embodiments of Ic: R¹ is a lower alkyl; R⁹ isabsent, or independently for each occurrence, is a lower alkyl, —OH,—NH₂, —N₃, -(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH, —O-lower alkyl, —O-(loweralkyl)-C(O)OH, -guanidinyl; X is O; each R² is hydrogen, R¹⁰ is absent,or represents a single substitution of —OH, —NH₂, —CN or —N₃; and W is—B(OH)₂ or —CN (and more preferably —B(OH)₂).

In some embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor is represented by:

Another aspect of the invention relates to the immuno-DASH inhibitorrepresented by formula II, or a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   wherein    -   ring A, along with each occurrence of R^(1a), represents a 7-12        membered polycyclic ring structure;    -   ring Z represents a 4-10 membered heterocycle including the N        and the Ca carbon;    -   W represents —CN, —CH═NR⁴, a functional group which reacts with        an active site residue of the target, or

-   -   X is O or S;    -   X¹ represents a halogen;    -   Y is C or N;    -   Y¹ and Y² are independently OH, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached represent a group that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached form a 5-8 membered ring that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid;    -   R^(1a) represents a lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—; —(CH₂)_(m)—N—(CH₂)_(m)—; or        —(CH₂)_(m)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—;    -   R² represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower        alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(═O)-alkyl, —C(═O)-alkenyl,        —C(═O)-alkynyl, or —C(═O)—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   R³ represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, or a substituted        or unsubstituted lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl,        cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or heterocycle;    -   R⁴ represents a hydrogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a        lower alkynyl, (CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OH, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkenyl, -(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R₇, —(CH₂)_(n)—SH, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(O)C(O)NH₂, or —C(O)C(O)ORB;    -   R⁵ represents O or S;    -   R⁶ represents N₃, SH, NH₂, NO₂ or OR⁸;    -   R⁷ represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl, an amine, OR⁸, or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or R⁵ and R⁶ taken together        with the phosphorous atom to which they are attached complete a        heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring        structure;    -   R⁸ represents, hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,        alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or        heterocyclyl;    -   R⁹ and R¹⁰, each independently, are absent or represents one,        two, or three substitutions to the ring A or to the ring Z to        which they are appended, each of which can independently be a        halogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a lower alkynyl, a        carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an ester, a formate, or a ketone),        a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or a        thioformate), an amino, an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, an        isocyano, a thiocyanato, an isothiocyanato, a cyanato, a nitro,        an azido, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfonamido, lower        alkyl-C(O)OH, —O-(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH, -guanidinyl;        —(CH₂)_(m)—R₇, —(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R³,        —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkenyl, (CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   n is 0, 1, 2, or 3;    -   m is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and    -   p is 1, 2, or 3.

In certain embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor of Formula II isrepresented in Formula IIa, or is a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   wherein X, W, Z, R², R⁹ and R¹⁰ are as defined above for Formula        II.

In certain preferred embodiments of IIa: R⁹, independently for eachoccurrence, is a lower alkyl, —OH, —NH₂, —N₃, -(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH,—O-lower alkyl, —O-(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH, -guanidinyl; X is O; each R² ishydrogen, R¹⁰ is absent, or represents a single substitution of —OH,—NH₂, —CN or —N₃; and W is —B(OH)₂ or —CN (and more preferably —B(OH)₂).

In certain embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor of Formula II isrepresented in Formula IIb, or is a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   wherein X, W, R², R⁹ and R¹⁰ are as defined above for Formula        II.

In certain preferred embodiments of IIb: R⁹, independently for eachoccurrence, is a lower alkyl, —OH, —NH₂, —N₃, -(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH,—O-lower alkyl, —O-(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH, -guanidinyl; X is O; each R² ishydrogen, R¹⁰ is absent, or represents a single substitution of —OH,—NH₂, —CN or —N₃; and W is —B(OH)₂ or —CN (and more preferably —B(OH)₂).

In certain embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor of Formula II isrepresented in Formula IIc, or is a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   wherein X, W, R², R⁹ and R¹⁰ are as defined above for Formula        II.

In certain preferred embodiments of IIc: R⁹, independently for eachoccurrence, is a lower alkyl, —OH, —NH₂, —N₃, -(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH,—O-lower alkyl, —O-(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH, -guanidinyl; X is O; each R² ishydrogen, R¹⁰ is absent, or represents a single substitution of —OH,—NH₂, —CN or —N₃; and W is —B(OH)₂ or —CN (and more preferably —B(OH)₂).

In certain embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor of Formula II isrepresented in Formula IId, or is a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   wherein X, W, R², R⁹ and R¹⁰ are as defined above for Formula        II.

In certain preferred embodiments of IId: R⁹, independently for eachoccurrence, is a lower alkyl, —OH, —NH₂, —N₃, -(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH,—O-lower alkyl, —O-(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH, -guanidinyl; X is O; each R² ishydrogen, R¹⁰ is absent, or represents a single substitution of —OH,—NH₂, —CN or —N₃; and W is —B(OH)₂ or —CN (and more preferably —B(OH)₂).

In certain embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor of Formula II isrepresented in Formula IIe, or is a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   wherein X, W, Z, R², R⁹ and R¹⁰ are as defined above for Formula        II.

In certain preferred embodiments of Ile: R⁹, independently for eachoccurrence, is a lower alkyl, —OH, —NH₂, —N₃, -(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH,—O-lower alkyl, —O-(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH, -guanidinyl; X is O; each R² ishydrogen, R¹⁰ is absent, or represents a single substitution of —OH,—NH₂, —CN or —N₃; Z is a pyrrolidine or piperidine ring (and morepreferably a pyrrolidine ring); and W is —B(OH)₂ or —CN (and morepreferably —B(OH)₂).

In some embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor is one of the following:

Another aspect of the invention relates to the immuno-DASH inhibitorrepresented by formula III, or a pharmaceutical salt thereof:

-   -   ring Z represents a 4-10 membered heterocycle including the N        and the Cα carbon;    -   W represents —CN, —CH═NR⁴, a functional group which reacts with        an active site residue of the target, or

-   -   X is O or S;    -   X² is absent or represents a halogen or lower alkyl;    -   Y¹ and Y² are independently OH, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached represent a group that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid, or together with the boron atom        to which they are attached form a 5-8 membered ring that is        hydrolysable to a boronic acid;    -   R¹ represents, independently for each occurrence, a halogen, a        lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a lower alkynyl, a carbonyl, a        thiocarbonyl, an amino, an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, a        nitro, an azido, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfonamido, —CF₃,        —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, (CH₂)_(m)OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R³,        —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkenyl, or —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   R² represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower        alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(═O)-alkyl, —C(═O)-alkenyl,        —C(═O)-alkynyl, or —C(═O)—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   R³ represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, or a substituted        or unsubstituted lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl,        cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, or heterocycle;    -   R⁴ represents a hydrogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a        lower alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —(CH₂)_(n)—OH, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R₇, —(CH₂)_(n)—SH, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-lower alkynyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³, —C(O)C(O)NH₂, or —C(O)C(O)OR⁸;    -   R⁵ represents O or S;    -   R⁶ represents N₃, SH, NH₂, NO₂ or OR⁸;    -   R⁷ represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl, an amine, OR⁸, or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or R⁵ and R⁶ taken together        with the phosphorous atom to which they are attached complete a        heterocyclic ring having from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring        structure;    -   R⁸ represents, hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,        alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or        heterocyclyl;    -   R¹⁰ is absent or represents one to three substitutions to the        ring Z to which they are appended, each of which can        independently be a halogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a        lower alkynyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an ester, a        formate, or a ketone), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a        thioacetate, or a thioformate), an amino, an acylamino, an        amido, a cyano, an isocyano, a thiocyanato, an isothiocyanato, a        cyanato, a nitro, an azido, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a        sulfonamido, lower alkyl-C(O)OH, —O-(lower alkyl)-C(O)OH,        -guanidinyl; —(CH₂)_(m)—R₇, —(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower        alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R³,        —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower        alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R³;    -   n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; and    -   m is 0, 1, 2, or 3.

In certain preferred embodiments, X2 or F or Cl, and more preferably F,R1 and R2 are each lower alkyl, and more preferably methyl groups, Z isa 5 membered ring, R10 is absent, W is —B(OH)₂, X is O and eachoccurrence of R2 is hydrogen.

B. Representative PGE2 Antagonists

In certain embodiments, the immuno-DASH inhibitor is administered incombination with an agent that inhibits PGE2 production. The process ofPGE2 synthesis involves phospholipase A2 (PLA2) family members, thatmobilize arachidonic acid from cellular membranes, cyclooxygenases(constitutively-active COX1 and inducible COX2) that convert arachidonicacid into prostaglandin H₂ (PGH₂), and prostaglandin E synthase (PGES),needed for the final formulation of PGE₂. While the rate of PGE₂synthesis and the resulting inflammatory process can be affected byadditional factors, such as local availability of AA, in mostphysiologic conditions, the rate of PGE2 synthesis is controlled bylocal expression and activity of COX2.

In other embodiments, the subject immuno-DASH inhibitor is administeredin combination with agents which promote PGE₂ degradation. The rate ofPGE₂ degradation is controlled by 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase(15-PGDH), suggesting that in addition to the rate of PGE₂ synthesis,also the rate of PGE2 decay constitutes a target for therapeuticintervention in the subject immuno-DASH inhibitor combinations.

In still other embodiments, the subject immuno-DASH inhibitor isadministered in combination with agents that reduce PGE2 responsiveness.Four different PGE2 receptors are EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4. The signalingthrough the two G_(s)-coupled receptors, EP2 and EP4, is mediated by theadenylate cyclase-triggered cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway, mediating thedominant aspects of the anti-inflammatory and suppressive activity ofPGE2. While EP2 is believed to signal in a largely cAMP-dependentfashion, EP4 also activates the PI3K-dependent ERK1/2 pathway. However,both EP2 and EP4 have been shown to activate the GSK3/β-catenin pathway.The expression of EP2 and the resulting responsiveness to PGE2 can besuppressed by hyper-methylation, as observed in patients with idiopathiclung fibrosis. These observations raise the possibility that, inaddition to the regulation of PGE2 production and its degradation, theregulation of PGE2 responsiveness at the level of expression ofindividual PGE2 receptors can also contribute to the pathogenesis ofhuman disease and be exploited in their therapy. In support, the use ofsynthetic inhibitors, preferentially affecting EP2, EP3, or EP4signaling, allow for differential suppression of different aspects ofPGE2 activity.

Agents which reduce PGE2 responsiveness also include prostaglandin (PG)signaling inhibitors. Prostaglandins signal through numerous receptors,with the key immunosuppressive effects being mediated by the activationof adenylate cyclase, the resulting elevation of the intracellularcyclic (c)AMP, PKA and the downstream activation of the PKA/CREBpathway.

Another level of interference with the PG responsiveness includes theinterference with their binging to PG receptors. In case of PGE2, thetwo key cAMP-activating receptors are EP2 and EP4, for which a number ofspecific inhibitors exist.

The increase of cAMP levels induced by prostaglandins or other factorscan be prevented by phosphodiesterases (PDEs; currently known 6 types,PDE1-PDE5 and PDE10, which reduce the levels of intracellular cAMP).PDEs can be controlled by phosphodiesterase inhibitors, which includesuch substances as xanthines (caffeine, aminophylline, IBMX,pentoxyphylline, theobromine, theophylline, or paraxanthine), which allincrease the levels of intracellular cAMP, and the more selectivesynthetic and natural factors, including vinpocetine, cilostazol,inaminone, cilostazol, mesembrine, rolipram, ibudilast, drotaverine,piclamilast, sildafenil, tadalafil, verdenafil, or papaverine.

Furthermore, interference with PGE2 signaling (or with the signaling ofother cAMP-elevating factors, such as histamine, of beta-adrenergicagonists) can be achieved by the inhibition of downstream signals ofcAMP, such as PKA or CREB.

Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors

In certain preferred embodiments, the subject immuno-DASH inhibitor isadministered in combination with one or more prostaglandin (PG)synthesis inhibitors. Factor which inhibit the synthesis of PGs ingeneral or the synthesis of a specific type of PGs. PG synthesisinhibitors include nonselective inhibitors of COX-1 and COX-2, the twokey enzymes in the PG synthesis pathway, and selective inhibitors ofCOX-2, which are believed to be more specific to COX-2 and less toxic.The examples of non-selective PG inhibitors include aspirin,indomethacin, or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). The examples ofCOX-2-selective inhibitors include Celecoxib (Celebrex) and rofecoxib(Vioxx). The example of COX-1-specific inhibitor is sulindac (Clinoril).Other drugs that suppress prostaglandin synthesis include steroids(example: hydrocortisone, cortisol, prednisone, or dexamethasone) andacetaminophen (Tylenol, Panadol), commonly used as anti-inflammatory,antipyretic and analgesic drugs. Examples of the most commonly usedselective COX2 inhibitors include celecoxib, alecoxib, valdecoxib, androfecoxib. In certain embodiments, the PGE2 antagonist is notindomethacin.

Examples of the most commonly used non-selective COX 1 and COX2inhibitors include: acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and othersalicylates, acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin,Rufen), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), nabumetone (Relafen), or diclofenac(Cataflam).

A component of the present invention is a Cox-2 inhibitor. The terms“cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor”, or “Cox-2 inhibitor”, which can be usedinterchangeably herein, embrace compounds which inhibit the Cox-2 enzymeregardless of the degree of inhibition of the Cox-1 enzyme, and includepharmaceutically acceptable salts of those compounds. Thus, for purposesof the present invention, a compound is considered a Cox-2 inhibitorirrespective of whether the compound inhibits the Cox-2 enzyme to anequal, greater, or lesser degree than the Cox-1 enzyme.

In one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred that theCox-2 inhibitor compound is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug(NSAID). Therefore, preferred materials that can serve as the Cox-2inhibitor of the present invention include non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drug compounds, a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, or a pure (−) or (+) optical isomeric form thereof.

Examples of NSAID compounds that are useful in the present inventioninclude acemetacin, acetyl salicylic acid, alclofenac, alminoprofen,azapropazone, benorylate, benoxaprofen, bucloxic acid, carprofen,choline magnesium trisalicylate, clidanac, clopinac, dapsone,diclofenac, diflunisal, droxicam, etodolac, fenoprofen, fenbufen,fenclofenec, fentiazac, floctafenine, flufenisal, flurbiprofen,(r)-flurbiprofen, (s)-flurbiprofen, furofenac, feprazone, flufenamicacid, fluprofen, ibufenac, ibuprofen, indometacin, indomethacin,indoprofen, isoxepac, isoxicam, ketoprofen, ketorolac, miroprofen,piroxicam, meloxicam, mefenamic, mefenamic acid, meclofenamic acid,meclofen, nabumetone, naproxen, niflumic acid, oxaprozin, oxipinac,oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone, podophyllotoxin derivatives,proglumetacin, piprofen, pirprofen, prapoprofen, salicylic acid,salicylate, sudoxicam, suprofen, sulindac, tenoxicam, tiaprofenic acid,tiopinac, tioxaprofen, tolfenamic acid, tolmetin, zidometacin,zomepirac, and 2-fluoro-a-methyl[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-acetic acid,4-(nitrooxy)butyl ester.

In a preferred embodiment, the Cox-2 inhibitor is a Cox-2 selectiveinhibitor. The term “Cox-2 selective inhibitor” embraces compounds whichselectively inhibit the Cox-2 enzyme over the Cox-1 enzyme, and alsoinclude pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs of thosecompounds.

In practice, the selectivity of a Cox-2 inhibitor varies depending uponthe condition under which the test is performed and on the inhibitorsbeing tested. However, for the purposes of this specification, theselectivity of a Cox-2 inhibitor can be measured as a ratio of the invitro or in vivo IC₅₀ value for inhibition of Cox-1, divided by the IC₅₀value for inhibition of Cox-2 (Cox-1 IC₅₀/Cox-2 IC₅₀). A Cox-2 selectiveinhibitor is any inhibitor for which the ratio of Cox-1 IC₅₀ to Cox-2IC₅₀ is greater than 1. In preferred embodiments, this ratio is greaterthan 2, more preferably greater than 5, yet more preferably greater than10, still more preferably greater than 50, and more preferably stillgreater than 100.

As used herein, the term “IC₅₀” refers to the concentration of acompound that is required to produce 50% inhibition of cyclooxygenaseactivity. Preferred Cox-2 selective inhibitors of the present inventionhave a Cox-2 IC₅₀ of less than about 1 μM, more preferred of less thanabout 0.5 μM, and even more preferred of less than about 0.2 μM.

Preferred Cox-2 selective inhibitors have a Cox-1 IC₅₀ of greater thanabout 1 μM, and more preferably of greater than 20 μM. Such preferredselectivity may indicate an ability to reduce the incidence of commonNSAID-induced side effects.

Also included within the scope of the present invention are compoundsthat act as prodrugs of Cox-2-selective inhibitors. As used herein inreference to Cox-2 selective inhibitors, the term “prodrug” refers to achemical compound that can be converted into an active Cox-2 selectiveinhibitor by metabolic or simple chemical processes within the body ofthe subject. One example of a prodrug for a Cox-2 selective inhibitor isparecoxib, which is a therapeutically effective prodrug of the tricyclicCox-2 selective inhibitor valdecoxib. An example of a preferred Cox-2selective inhibitor prodrug is sodium parecoxib. A class of prodrugs ofCox-2 inhibitors is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,598 (incorporatedby reference).

The Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the present invention can be, forexample, the Cox-2 selective inhibitor meloxicam, (CAS registry number71125-38-7), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

In another embodiment of the invention the Cox-2 selective inhibitor canbe the Cox-2 selective inhibitor RS 57067,6-[[5-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-1,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]methyl]-3(2H)-pyridazinone,(CAS registry number 179382-91-3), or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltor prodrug thereof.

As used herein, the term “alkyl”, either alone or within other termssuch as “haloalkyl” and “alkylsulfonyl”; embraces linear or branchedradicals having one to about twenty carbon atoms. Lower alkyl radicalshave one to about ten carbon atoms. The number of carbon atoms can alsobe expressed as “C1-C5”, for example. Examples of lower alkyl radicalsinclude methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl,sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isoamyl, hexyl, octyl and the, like.

The term “alkenyl” refers to an unsaturated, acyclic hydrocarbonradical, linear or branched, in so much as it contains at least onedouble bond. The alkenyl radicals may be optionally substituted withgroups such as those defined below. Examples of suitable alkenylradicals include propenyl, 2-chloropropylenyl, buten-1yl, isobutenyl,penten-1yl, 2-methylbuten-1-yl, 3-methylbuten-1-yl, hexen-1-yl,3-hydroxyhexen-1-yl, hepten-1-yl, octen-1-yl, and the like.

The term “alkynyl” refers to an unsaturated, acyclic hydrocarbonradical, linear or branched, in so much as it contains one or moretriple bonds, such radicals preferably containing 2 to about 6 carbonatoms, more preferably from 2 to about 3 carbon atoms. The alkynylradicals may be optionally substituted with groups such as describedbelow. Examples of suitable alkynyl radicals include ethynyl, proynyl,hydroxypropynyl, butyn-1-yl, butyn-2-yl, pentyn-1-yl, pentyn-2-yl,4-methoxypentyn-2-yl, 3-methylbutyn-1-yl, hexyl-1-yl, hexyn-2-yl,hexyn-3-yl, 3,3-dimethylbutyn-1-yl radicals, and the like.

The term “oxo” means a single double-bonded oxygen.

The terms “hydrido”, “—H”, or “hydrogen”, denote a single hydrogen atom(H). This hydrido radical may be attached, for example, to an oxygenatom to form a hydroxyl radical, or two hydrido radicals may be attachedto a carbon atom to form a methylene (—CH₂—) radical.

The term “halo” means halogens such as fluorine, chlorine, and bromineor iodine atoms. The term “haloalkyl” embraces radicals wherein any oneor more of the alkyl carbon atoms is substituted with halo as definedabove. Specifically embraced are monohaloalkyl, dihaloalkyl, andpolyhaloalkyl radicals. A monohaloalkyl radical, for one example, mayhave a bromo, chloro, or a fluoro atom within the radical. Dihalo alkylradicals may have two or more of the same halo atoms or a combination ofdifferent halo radicals and polyhaloalkyl radicals may have more thantwo of the same halo atoms or a combination of different halo radicals.

The term “hydroxyalkyl” embraces linear or branched alkyl radicalshaving one to about ten carbon atoms any one of which may be substitutedwith one or more hydroxyl radicals.

The terms “alkoxy” and “alkoxyalkyl” embrace linear or branchedoxy-containing radicals each having alkyl portions of one to about tencarbon atoms, such as methoxy radical. The term “alkoxyalkyl” alsoembraces alkyl radicals having two or more alkoxy radicals attached tothe alkyl radical, that is, to form monoalkoxyalkyl and dialkoxyalkylradicals. The “alkoxy” or “alkoxyalkyl” radicals may be furthersubstituted with one or more halo atoms, such as fluoro, chloro, orbromo, to provide “haloalkoxy” or “haloalkoxyalkyl” radicals. Examplesof “alkoxy” radicals include methoxy, butoxy, and trifluoromethoxy.

The term “aryl”, whether used alone or with other terms, means acarbocyclic aromatic system containing one, two, or three rings whereinsuch rings may be attached together in a pendent manner, or may befused. The term “aryl” embraces aromatic radicals such as phenyl,naphthyl, tetrahydronapthyl, indane, and biphenyl. The term“heterocyclyl” means a saturated or unsaturated mono- or multi-ringcarbocycle wherein one or more carbon atoms are replaced by N, S, P, orO. This includes, for example, structures such as:

-   -   wherein Z, Z¹, Z², or Z³ is C, S, P, O, or N, with the proviso        that one of Z, Z¹, Z², or Z³ is other than carbon, but is not O        or S when attached to another Z atom by a double bond or when        attached to another O or S atom. Furthermore, the optional        substituents are understood to be attached to Z, Z¹, Z², or Z³        only when each is C. The term “heterocycle” also includes fully        saturated ring structures, such as piperazinyl, dioxanyl,        tetrahydrofuranyl, oxiranyl, aziridinyl, morpholinyl,        pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, thiazolidinyl, and others.

The term “heteroaryl” embraces unsaturated heterocyclic radicals.Examples of unsaturated heterocyclic radicals include thienyl, pyrryl,furyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl,imidazolyl, thiazolyl, pyranyl, and tetrazolyl. The term also embracesradicals where heterocyclic radicals are fused with aryl radicals.Examples of such fused bicyclic radicals include benzofuran,benzothiophene, and the like.

The term “sulfonyl”, whether used alone or linked to other terms such asalkylsulfonyl, denotes respectively divalent radicals —SO₂—.“Alkylsulfonyl”, embraces alkyl radicals attached to a sulfonyl radical,where alkyl is defined as above. The term “arylsulfonyl” embracessulfonyl radicals substituted with an aryl radical. The term“aminosulfonyl” denotes a sulfonyl radical substituted with an amineradical, forming a sulfonamide (—SO₂—NH₂).

The terms “carboxy” or “carboxyl”, whether used alone or with otherterms, such as “carboxyalkyl”, denotes —CO₂—H. The term “carboxyalkyl”embraces radicals having a carboxyradical as defined above, attached toan alkyl radical. The term “carbonyl”, whether used alone or with otherterms, such as “alkylcarbonyl”, denotes —(C═O)—. The term“alkylcarbonyl” embraces radicals having a carbonyl radical substitutedwith an alkyl radical. An example of an “alkylcarbonyl” radical isCH₃—(CO)—. The term “alkoxycarbonyl” means a radical containing analkoxy radical, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to acarbonyl (C═O) radical. Examples of such “alkoxycarbonyl” radicalsinclude (CH₃)₃—C—O—C═O)— and —(O═)C—OCH₃. The term “amino”, whether usedalone or with other terms, such as “aminocarbonyl”, denotes —NH₂.

The term “heterocycloalkyl” embraces heterocyclic-substituted alkylradicals such as pyridylmethyl and thienylmethyl. The terms “aralkyl”,or “arylalkyl” embrace aryl-substituted alkyl radicals such as benzyl,diphenylmethyl, triphenylmethyl, phenylethyl, and diphenylethyl. Theterms benzyl and phenylmethyl are interchangeable. The term “cycloalkyl”embraces radicals having three to ten carbon atoms, such as cyclopropylcyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cycloheptyl. The term“cycloalkenyl” embraces unsaturated radicals having three to ten carbonatoms, such as cylopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl,and cycloheptenyl.

The term “alkylthio” embraces radicals containing a linear or branchedalkyl radical, of one to ten carbon atoms, attached to a divalent sulfuratom. An example of “alkylthio” is methylthio, (CH₃—S—). The term“alkylsulfinyl” embraces radicals containing a linear or branched alkylradical, of one to ten carbon atoms, attached to a divalent —S(—O)—atom.The term “acyl”, whether used alone, or within a term such as“acylamino”, denotes a radical provided by the residue after removal ofhydroxyl from an organic acid.

The term “cyano”, used either alone or with other terms, such as“cyanoalkyl”, refers to C≡N. The term “nitro” denotes —NO₂.

In one embodiment of the invention the Cox-2 selective inhibitor is ofthe chromene/chroman structural class, which encompasses substitutedbenzopyrans or substituted benzopyran analogs, as well as substitutedbenzothiopyrans, dihydroquinolines, or dihydronaphthalenes having thestructure of any one of the general Formulas shown below, and thediastereomers, enantiomers, racemates, tautomers, salts, esters, amidesand prodrugs thereof.

Benzopyrans that can serve as a Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention include substituted benzopyran derivatives that are describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,271,253 and 6,492,390 (both of which areincorporated by reference). One such class of compounds is defined bythe general formula shown below:

-   -   wherein X¹ is selected from O, S, CR^(c)R^(b) and NR^(a);    -   wherein R^(a) is selected from hydrido, C₁-C₃-alkyl, (optionally        substituted phenyl)-C₁-C₃-alkyl, acyl and carboxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl;    -   wherein each of R^(b) and R^(c) is independently selected from        hydrido, C₁-C₃-alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-perfluoroalkyl,        chloro, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, nitro, cyano and        cyano-C₁-C₃-alkyl; or wherein CR^(b)R^(c) forms a 3-6 membered        cycloalkyl ring;    -   wherein R¹ is selected from carboxyl, aminocarbonyl,        C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonylaminocarbonyl and C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl;    -   wherein R² is selected from hydrido, phenyl, thienyl,        C₁-C₆-alkyl and C₂-C₆-alkenyl;    -   wherein R³ is selected from C₁-C₃-perfluoroalkyl, chloro,        C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, nitro, cyano and        cyano-C₁-C₃-alkyl;    -   wherein R⁴ is one or more radicals independently selected from        hydrido, halo, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,        halo-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, aryl-C₁-C₃-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,        aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, methylenedioxy,        C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkylsulfinyl, aryloxy, arylthio,        arylsulfinyl, heteroaryloxy, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl,        aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyloxy, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyloxy,        aryl-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl,        C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆-haloalkylthio, C₁-C₆-haloalkylsulfinyl,        C₁-C₆-haloalkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₃-(haloalkyl-1-C₃-hydroxyalkyl,        C₁-C₆-hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyimino-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylamino,        arylamino, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkylamino, heteroarylamino,        heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkylamino, nitro, cyano, amino, aminosulfonyl,        C₁-C₆-alkylaminosulfonyl, arylaminosulfonyl,        heteroarylaminosulfonyl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkylaminosulfonyl,        heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkylaminosulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl,        C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonyl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonyl, optionally        substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl,        aryl-C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl,        heteroarylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl,        C₁-C₁-alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkylcarbonyl and        C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl; and    -   wherein the A ring atoms A¹, A², A³ and A⁴ are independently        selected from carbon and nitrogen with the proviso that at least        two of A¹, A², A³ and A⁴ are carbon;    -   or wherein R⁴ together with ring A forms a radical selected from        naphthyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, quinolizinyl, quinoxalinyl and        dibenzofuryl; or an isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt        thereof.

Another class of benzopyran derivatives that can serve as the Cox-2selective inhibitor of the present invention includes compounds havingthe structure of:

-   -   wherein X² is selected from O, S, CR^(c)R^(b) and NR^(a);    -   wherein R^(a) is selected from hydrido, C₁-C₃-alkyl, (optionally        substituted phenyl)-C₁-C₃-alkyl, alkylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl,        benzylsulfonyl, acyl and carboxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl;    -   wherein each of R^(b) and R^(c) is independently selected from        hydrido, C₁-C₃-alkyl, phenyl-C₁-C₃-alkyl, C₁-C₃-perfluoroalkyl,        chloro, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, nitro, cyano and        cyano-C₁-C₃-alkyl; or wherein CR^(c)R^(b) form a cyclopropyl        ring;    -   wherein R⁵ is selected from carboxyl, aminocarbonyl,        C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonylaminocarbonyl and C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl;    -   wherein R⁶ is selected from hydrido, phenyl, thienyl,        C₂-C₆-alkynyl and C₂-C₆-alkenyl;    -   wherein R⁷ is selected from C₁-C₃-perfluoroalkyl, chloro,        C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, nitro, cyano and        cyano-C₁-C₃-alkyl;    -   wherein R⁸ is one or more radicals independently selected from        hydrido, halo, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₂-C₆-alkynyl,        halo-C₂-C₆-alkynyl, aryl-C₁-C₃-alkyl, aryl-C₂-C₆-alkynyl,        aryl-C₂-C₆-alkenyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, methylenedioxy,        C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkylsulfinyl, —O(CF₂)₂₀—, aryloxy,        arylthio, arylsulfinyl, heteroaryloxy, C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl,        aryl-C₁-C₆-alkyloxy, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkyloxy,        aryl-C₁-C₆-alkoxy-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkyl,        C₁-C₆-haloalkoxy, C₁-C₆-haloalkylthio, C₁-C₆-haloalkylsulfinyl,        C₁-C₆-haloalkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₃-(haloalkyl-C₁-C₃-hydroxyalkyl),        C₁-C₆-hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyimino-C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkylamino,        arylamino, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkylamino, heteroarylamino,        heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkylamino, nitro, cyano, amino, aminosulfonyl,        C₁-C₆-alkylaminosulfonyl, arylaminosulfonyl,        heteroarylaminosulfonyl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkylaminosulfonyl,        heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkylaminosulfonyl, heterocyclylsulfonyl,        C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonyl, aryl-C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonyl, optionally        substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl,        aryl-C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, heteroaryl-C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl,        heteroarylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl,        C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, C₁-C₆-haloalkylcarbonyl and        C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl; and    -   wherein the D ring atoms D¹, D², D³ and D⁴ are independently        selected from carbon and nitrogen with the proviso that at least        two of D¹, D², D³ and D⁴ are carbon; or    -   wherein R⁸ together with ring D forms a radical selected from        naphthyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, quinolizinyl, quinoxalinyl and        dibenzofuryl; or an isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt        thereof.

Other benzopyran Cox-2 selective inhibitors useful in the practice ofthe present invention are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,034,256 and6,077,850 (both of which are incorporated by reference). The generalformula for these compounds is:

-   -   wherein X³ is selected from the group consisting of O or S or        NR^(a);    -   wherein R^(a) is alkyl;    -   wherein R⁹ is selected from the group consisting of H and aryl;    -   wherein R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl,        aminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonylaminocarbonyl and alkoxycarbonyl;    -   wherein R¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of haloalkyl,        alkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl optionally substituted with        one or more radicals selected from alkylthio, nitro and        alkylsulfonyl; and    -   wherein R¹² is selected from the group consisting of one or more        radicals selected from H, halo, alkyl, aralkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy,        heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroaralkyloxy, haloalkyl,        haloalkoxy, alkylamino, arylamino, aralkylamino,        heteroarylamino, heteroarylalkylamino, nitro, amino,        aminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, arylaminosulfonyl,        heteroarylaminosulfonyl, aralkylaminosulfonyl,        heteroaralkylaminosulfonyl, heterocyclosulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl,        hydroxyarylcarbonyl, nitroaryl, optionally substituted aryl,        optionally substituted heteroaryl, aralkylcarbonyl,        heteroarylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, and        alkylcarbonyl; or    -   wherein R¹² together with ring E forms a naphthyl radical; or an        isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and        including the diastereomers, enantiomers, racemates, tautomers,        salts, esters, amides and prodrugs thereof.

A related class of compounds useful as Cox-2 selective inhibitors in thepresent invention is described by the structure below:

-   -   wherein X⁴ is selected from O or S or NR^(a);    -   wherein R^(a) is alkyl;    -   wherein R¹³ is selected from carboxyl, aminocarbonyl,        alkylsulfonylaminocarbonyl and alkoxycarbonyl;    -   wherein R¹⁴ is selected from haloalkyl, alkyl, aralkyl,        cycloalkyl and aryl optionally substituted with one or more        radicals selected from alkylthio, nitro and alkylsulfonyl; and    -   wherein R¹⁵ is one or more radicals selected from hydrido, halo,        alkyl, aralkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy,        heteroaralkyloxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, alkylamino, arylamino,        aralkylamino, heteroarylamino, heteroarylalkylamino, nitro,        amino, aminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, arylaminosulfonyl,        heteroarylaminosulfonyl, aralkylaminosulfonyl,        heteroaralkylaminosulfonyl, heterocyclosulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl,        optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl,        aralkylcarbonyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl,        aminocarbonyl, and alkylcarbonyl;    -   or wherein R¹⁵ together with ring G forms a naphthyl radical; or        an isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Another related class of compounds useful as Cox-2 selective inhibitorsin the present invention is described by the structure below:

-   -   wherein:    -   X⁵ is selected from the group consisting of O or S or NR^(b);    -   R^(b) is alkyl;    -   R¹⁶ is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl,        aminocarbonyl, alkylsulfonylaminocarbonyl and alkoxycarbonyl;    -   R¹⁷ is selected from the group consisting of haloalkyl, alkyl,        aralkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, wherein haloalkyl, alkyl, aralkyl,        cycloalkyl, and aryl each is independently optionally        substituted with one or more radicals selected from the group        consisting of alkylthio, nitro and alkylsulfonyl; and    -   R¹⁸ is one or more radicals selected from the group consisting        of hydrido, halo, alkyl, aralkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy,        heteroaryloxy, aralkyloxy, heteroaralkyloxy, haloalkyl,        haloalkoxy, alkylamino, arylamino, aralkylamino,        heteroarylamino, heteroarylalkylamino, nitro, amino,        aminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl, arylaminosulfonyl,        heteroarylaminosulfonyl, aralkylaminosulfonyl,        heteroaralkylaminosulfonyl, heterocyclosulfonyl, alkylsulfonyl,        optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl,        aralkylcarbonyl, heteroarylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl,        aminocarbonyl, and alkylcarbonyl; or wherein R¹⁸ together with        ring A forms a naphthyl radical; or an isomer or        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The Cox-2 selective inhibitor may also be a compound of the aboveformula, wherein:

-   -   X⁵ is selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur;    -   R¹⁶ is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, lower        alkyl, lower aralkyl and lower alkoxycarbonyl;    -   R¹⁷ is selected from the group consisting of lower haloalkyl,        lower cycloalkyl and phenyl; and    -   R¹⁸ is one or more radicals selected from the group of        consisting of hydrido, halo, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower        haloalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, lower alkylamino, nitro, amino,        aminosulfonyl, lower alkylaminosulfonyl, 5-membered        heteroarylalkylaminosulfonyl, 6-membered        heteroarylalkylaminosulfonyl, lower aralkylaminosulfonyl,        5-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclosulfonyl, 6-membered        nitrogen-containing heterocyclosulfonyl, lower alkylsulfonyl,        optionally substituted phenyl, lower aralkylcarbonyl, and lower        alkylcarbonyl; or    -   wherein R¹⁸ together with ring A forms a naphthyl radical; or an        isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The Cox-2 selective inhibitor may also be a compound of the aboveformula, wherein:

-   -   X⁵ is selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur;    -   R¹⁶ is carboxyl;    -   R¹⁷ is lower haloalkyl; and    -   R¹⁸ is one or more radicals selected from the group consisting        of hydrido, halo, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower        haloalkoxy, lower alkylamino, amino, aminosulfonyl, lower        alkylaminosulfonyl, 5-membered heteroarylalkylaminosulfonyl,        6-membered heteroarylalkylaminosulfonyl, lower        aralkylaminosulfonyl, lower alkylsulfonyl, 6-membered        nitrogen-containing heterocyclosulfonyl, optionally substituted        phenyl, lower aralkylcarbonyl, and lower alkylcarbonyl; or        wherein R¹⁸ together with ring A forms a naphthyl radical; or an        isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The Cox-2 selective inhibitor may also be a compound of the aboveformula, wherein:

-   -   X⁵ is selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur;    -   R¹⁶ is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, lower        alkyl, lower aralkyl and lower alkoxycarbonyl;    -   R¹⁷ is selected from the group consisting of fluoromethyl,        chloromethyl, dichloromethyl, trichloromethyl, pentafluoroethyl,        heptafluoropropyl, difluoroethyl, difluoropropyl, dichloroethyl,        dichloropropyl, difluoromethyl, and trifluoromethyl; and    -   R¹⁸ is one or more radicals selected from the group consisting        of hydrido, chloro, fluoro, bromo, iodo, methyl, ethyl,        isopropyl, tert-butyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, hexyl, methoxy,        ethoxy, isopropyloxy, tertbutyloxy, trifluoromethyl,        difluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, amino, N,N-dimethylamino,        N,N-diethylamino, N-phenylmethylaminosulfonyl,        N-phenylethylaminosulfonyl, N-(2-furylmethyl)aminosulfonyl,        nitro, N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl, aminosulfonyl,        N-methylaminosulfonyl, N-ethylsulfonyl,        2,2-dimethylethylaminosulfonyl, N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl,        N-(2-methylpropyl)aminosulfonyl, N-morpholinosulfonyl,        methylsulfonyl, benzylcarbonyl, 2,2-dimethylpropylcarbonyl,        phenylacetyl and phenyl; or    -   wherein R² together with ring A forms a naphthyl radical; or an        isomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The Cox-2 selective inhibitor may also be a compound of the aboveformula, wherein:

-   -   X⁵ is selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur;    -   R¹⁶ is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, lower        alkyl, lower aralkyl and lower alkoxycarbonyl;    -   R¹⁷ is selected from the group consisting trifluoromethyl and        pentafluoroethyl; and    -   R¹⁸ is one or more radicals selected from the group consisting        of hydrido, chloro, fluoro, bromo, iodo, methyl, ethyl,        isopropyl, tert-butyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl,        trifluoromethoxy, N-phenylmethylaminosulfonyl,        N-phenylethylaminosulfonyl, N-(2-furylmethyl)aminosulfonyl,        N,N-dimethylaminosulfonyl, N-methylaminosulfonyl,        N-(2,2-dimethylethyl)aminosulfonyl, dimethylaminosulfonyl,        2-methylpropylaminosulfonyl, N-morpholinosulfonyl,        methylsulfonyl, benzylcarbonyl, and phenyl; or wherein R¹⁸        together with ring A forms a naphthyl radical; or an isomer or        prodrug thereof.

The Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the present invention can also be acompound having the structure of:

-   -   wherein:    -   X⁶ is selected from the group consisting of O and S;    -   R¹⁹ is lower haloalkyl;    -   R²⁰ is selected from the group consisting of hydrido, and halo;    -   R²¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrido, halo,        lower alkyl; lower haloalkoxy, lower alkoxy, lower        aralkylcarbonyl, lower dialkylaminosulfonyl, lower        alkylaminosulfonyl, lower aralkylaminosulfonyl, lower        heteroaralkylaminosulfonyl, 5-membered nitrogen-containing        heterocyclosulfonyl, and 6-membered nitrogen-containing        heterocyclosulfonyl;    -   R²² is selected from the group consisting of hydrido, lower        alkyl, halo, lower alkoxy, and aryl; and    -   R²³ is selected from the group consisting of the group        consisting of hydrido, halo, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, and        aryl;    -   or an isomer or prodrug thereof.

The Cox-2 selective inhibitor can also be a compound of having thestructure of the above formula, wherein:

-   -   X⁶ is selected from the group consisting of O and S;    -   R¹⁹ is selected from the group consisting of trifluoromethyl and        pentafluoroethyl;    -   R²⁰ is selected from the group consisting of hydrido, chloro,        and fluoro;    -   R²¹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrido, chloro,        bromo, fluoro, iodo, methyl, tert-butyl, trifluoromethoxy,        methoxy, benzylcarbonyl, dimethylaminosulfonyl,        isopropylaminosulfonyl, methylaminosulfonyl,        benzylaminosulfonyl, phenylethylaminosulfonyl,        methylpropylaminosulfonyl, methylsulfonyl, and        morpholinosulfonyl;    -   R²² is selected from the group consisting of hydrido, methyl,        ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, chloro, methoxy, diethylamino, and        phenyl; and    -   R²³ is selected from the group consisting of hydrido, chloro,        bromo, fluoro, methyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, methoxy, and phenyl;    -   or an isomer or prodrug thereof.

Examples include:

In preferred embodiments the chromene Cox-2 inhibitor is selected from(S)-6-chloro-7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylicacid, (2S)-6,8-dimethyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromene-3-carboxylicacid,(2S)-6-chloro-8-methyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromene-3-carboxylicacid,(2S)-8-ethyl-6-(trifluoromethoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromene-3-carboxylicacid, (S)-6,8-dichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylicacid,(2S)-6-chloro-5,7-dimethyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-chromene-3-carboxylicacid, and mixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the Cox-2 inhibitor can beselected from the class of tricyclic Cox-2 selective inhibitorsrepresented by the general structure of:

-   -   wherein:    -   Z¹ is selected from the group consisting of partially        unsaturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl and partially        unsaturated or unsaturated carbocyclic rings;    -   R²⁴ is selected from the group consisting of heterocyclyl,        cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl and aryl, wherein R²⁴ is optionally        substituted at a substitutable position with one or more        radicals selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, cyano, carboxyl,        alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, amino,        alkylamino, arylamino, nitro, alkoxyalkyl, alkylsulfinyl, halo,        alkoxy and alkylthio;    -   R²⁵ is selected from the group consisting of methyl or amino;        and    -   R²⁶ is selected from the group consisting of a radical selected        from H, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, oxo, cyano, carboxyl,        cyanoalkyl, heterocyclyloxy, alkyloxy, alkylthio, alkylcarbonyl,        cycloalkyl, aryl, haloalkyl, heterocyclyl, cycloalkenyl,        aralkyl, heterocyclylalkyl, acyl, alkylthioalkyl, hydroxyalkyl,        alkoxycarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, aralkenyl,        alkoxyalkyl, arylthioalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, aralkylthioalkyl,        aralkoxyalkyl, alkoxyaralkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl,        aminocarbonyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl,        N-arylaminocarbonyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminocarbonyl,        alkylaminocarbonylalkyl, carboxyalkyl, alkylamino, N-arylamino,        N-aralkylamino, N-alkyl-N-aralkylamino, N-alkyl-N-arylamino,        aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, N-arylaminoalkyl,        N-aralkylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-N-aralkylaminoalkyl,        N-alkyl-N-arylaminoalkyl, aryloxy, aralkoxy, arylthio,        aralkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl,        alkylaminosulfonyl, N-arylaminosulfonyl, arylsulfonyl,        N-alkyl-N-arylaminosulfonyl;    -   or a prodrug thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the Cox-2 selective inhibitorrepresented by the above formula is selected from the group of compoundswhich includes celecoxib (B-21), valdecoxib (B-22), deracoxib (B-23),rofecoxib (B-24), etoricoxib (MK-663; B-25), JTE-522 (B-26), or prodrugsthereof.

Additional information about selected examples of the Cox-2 selectiveinhibitors discussed above can be found as follows: celecoxib (CAS RN169590-42-5, C-2779, SC-58653, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,823(incorporated by reference)); deracoxib (CAS RN 169590-41-4); rofecoxib(CAS RN 162011-90-7); compound B-24 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,840,924); compoundB-26 (WO 00/25779 (incorporated by reference)); and etoricoxib (CAS RN202409-33-4, MK-663, SC-86218, and in WO 98/03484 (incorporated byreference)).

In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the Cox-2 selectiveinhibitor is selected from the group consisting of celecoxib, rofecoxiband etoricoxib.

In a preferred embodiment, parecoxib (See, U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,598(incorporated by reference)), having the structure shown in B-27, andwhich is a therapeutically effective prodrug of the tricyclic Cox-2selective inhibitor valdecoxib, B-22, (See, U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,272(incorporated by reference)), may be advantageously employed as theCox-2 inhibitor of the present invention.

A preferred form of parecoxib is sodium parecoxib.

Another tricyclic Cox-2 selective inhibitor useful in the presentinvention is the compound ABT-963, having the formula B-28 shown below,that has been previously described in International Publication NumberWO 00/24719 (incorporated by reference).

In a further embodiment of the invention, the Cox-2 inhibitor can beselected from the class of phenylacetic acid derivative Cox-2 selectiveinhibitors represented by the general structure of:

wherein:

-   -   R²⁷ is methyl, ethyl, or propyl;    -   R²⁸ is chloro or fluoro;    -   R²⁹ is hydrogen, fluoro, or methyl;    -   R³⁰ is hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy        or hydroxyl;    -   R³¹ is hydrogen, fluoro, or methyl; and    -   R³² is chloro, fluoro, trifluoromethyl, methyl, or ethyl,    -   provided that R²⁸, R²⁹, R³⁰ and R³¹ are not all fluoro when R²⁷        is ethyl and R³⁰ is H.

An exemplary phenylacetic acid derivative Cox-2 selective inhibitor thatis described in WO 99/11605 (incorporated by reference) is a compoundthat has the structure shown in the above formula,

wherein:

-   -   R²⁷ is ethyl;    -   R²⁸ and R³⁰ are chloro;    -   R²⁹ and R³¹ are hydrogen; and    -   R³² is methyl.

Another phenylacetic acid derivative Cox-2 selective inhibitor is acompound that has the structure shown in the above formula,

wherein:

-   -   R²⁷ is propyl;    -   R²⁸ and R³⁰ are chloro;    -   R²⁹ and R³¹ are methyl; and    -   R³² is ethyl.

Another phenylacetic acid derivative Cox-2 selective inhibitor that isdisclosed in WO 02/20090 is a compound that is referred to as COX-189(also termed lumiracoxib; CAS Reg. No. 220991-20-8), having thestructure shown in the above formula,

wherein:

-   -   R²⁷ is methyl;    -   R²⁸ is fluoro;    -   R³² is chloro; and    -   R²⁹, R³⁰, and R³¹ are hydrogen.

Compounds having a structure similar to that shown in in the aboveformula, that can serve as the Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,451,858, 6,310,099,6,291,523, and 5,958,978 (all incorporated by reference).

Other Cox-2 selective inhibitors that can be used in the presentinvention have the general structure shown in below, where the J groupis a carbocycle or a heterocycle. Preferred embodiments have thestructure:

wherein:

-   -   X⁷ is 0; J is 1-phenyl; R³³ is 2-NHSO₂CH₃; R³⁴ is 4-NO₂; and        there is no R³⁵ group, (nimesulide), or    -   X⁷ is 0; J is 1-oxo-inden-5-yl; R³³ is 2-F; R³⁴ is 4-F; and R³⁵        is 6-NHSO₂CH₃, (flosulide); or    -   X⁷ is 0; J is cyclohexyl; R³³ is 2-NHSO₂CH₃; R³⁴ is 5-NO₂; and        there is no R³⁵ group, (NS-398); or    -   X⁷ is S; J is 1-oxo-inden-5-yl; R³³ is 2-F; R³⁴ is 4-F; and R³⁵        is 6-N⁻SO₂CH₃.Na⁺, (L-745337); or    -   X⁷ is S; J is thiophen-2-yl; R³³ is 4-F; there is no R³⁴ group;        and R³⁵ is 5-NHSO₂CH₃, (RWJ-63556); or    -   X⁷ is 0; J is        2-oxo-5(R)-methyl-5-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)furan-(5H)-3-yl; R³³        is 3-F;    -   R³⁴ is 4-F; and R³⁵ is 4-(p-SO₂CH₃)C₆H₄, (L-784512).

The Cox-2 selective inhibitor NS-398, also known asN-(2-cyclohexyloxynitrophenyl)methane sulfonamide (CAS RN 123653-11-2),having a structure as shown below in formula B-29, has been describedin, for example, Yoshimi, N. et al., in Japanese J. Cancer Res.,90(4):406-412 (1999).

An evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of the Cox-2 selectiveinhibitor, RWJ 63556, in a canine model of inflammation, was describedby Kirchner et al., in J Pharmacol Exp Ther 282, 1094-1101 (1997).

Materials that can serve as the Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention include diarylmethylidenefuran derivatives that are describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,651 (incorporated by reference). Suchdiarylmethylidenefuran derivatives have the general formula shown belowin:

-   -   wherein:    -   the rings T and M independently are a phenyl radical, a naphthyl        radical, a radical derived from a heterocycle comprising 5 to 6        members and possessing from 1 to 4 heteroatoms, or a radical        derived from a saturated hydrocarbon ring having from 3 to 7        carbon atoms;    -   at least one of the substituents Q¹, Q², L¹ or L² is an        —S(O)_(n)—R group, in which n is an integer equal to 0, 1 or 2        and R is a lower alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a        lower haloalkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an        —SO₂NH₂ group;    -   and is located in the para position,    -   the others independently being a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom,        a lower alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a        trifluoromethyl radical, or a lower O-alkyl radical having 1 to        6 carbon atoms, or Q¹ and Q² or L¹ and L² are a methylenedioxy        group; and    -   R³⁶, R³⁷, R³⁸ and R³⁹ independently are a hydrogen atom, a        halogen atom, a lower alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,        a lower haloalkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an        aromatic radical selected from the group consisting of phenyl,        naphthyl, thienyl, furyl and pyridyl; or,    -   R³⁶, R³⁷ or R³⁸, R³⁹ are an oxygen atom; or    -   R³⁶, R³⁷ or R³⁸, R³⁹, together with the carbon atom to which        they are attached, form a saturated hydrocarbon ring having from        3 to 7 carbon atoms;    -   or an isomer or prodrug thereof.

Particular diarylmethylidenefuran derivatives that can serve as theCox-2 selective inhibitor of the present invention include, for example,N-(2-cyclohexyloxynitrophenyl)methane sulfonamide, and(E)-4-[(4-methylphenyl)(tetrahydro-2-oxo-3-furanylidene)methyl]benzenesulfonamide.

Other Cox-2 selective inhibitors that are useful in the presentinvention include darbufelone (Pfizer), CS-502 (Sankyo), LAS 34475(Almirall Profesfarma), LAS 34555 (Almirall Profesfarma), S-33516(Servier), SD 8381 (Pharmacia, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,256),BMS-347070 (Bristol Myers Squibb, described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,651),MK-966 (Merck), L-783003 (Merck), T-614 (Toyama), D-1367 (Chiroscience),L-748731 (Merck), CT3 (Atlantic Pharmaceutical), CGP-28238 (Novartis),BF-389 (Biofor/Scherer), GR-253035 (Glaxo Wellcome),6-dioxo-9H-purin-8-yl-cinnamic acid (Glaxo Wellcome), and S-2474(Shionogi).

Compounds that may act as Cox-2 selective inhibitors of the presentinvention include multibinding compounds containing from 2 to 10 ligandscovanlently attached to one or more linkers, as described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,395,724 (incorporated by reference).

Conjugated linoleic, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,868(incorporated by reference), is useful as a Cox-2 selective inhibitor inthe present invention.

Compounds that can serve as a Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention include heterocyclic aromatic oxazole compounds that aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,994,381 (incorporated by reference) andU.S. Pat. No. 6,362,209 (incorporated by reference). Such heterocyclicaromatic oxazole compounds have the formula shown below in:

wherein:

-   -   Z² is an oxygen atom;    -   one of R⁴⁰ and R⁴¹ is a group of the formula

wherein:

-   -   R⁴³ is lower alkyl, amino or lower alkylamino; and    -   R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵, R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ are the same or different and each is        hydrogen atom, halogen atom, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy,        trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl or amino, provided that at least one        of R⁴⁴, R⁴⁵, R⁴⁶ and R⁴⁷ is not hydrogen atom, and the other is        an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted        heterocyclic group or an optionally substituted aryl; and    -   R³⁰ is a lower alkyl or a halogenated lower alkyl,    -   and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Cox-2 selective inhibitors that are useful in the method andcompositions of the present invention include compounds that aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,080,876 (incorporated by reference) andU.S. Pat. No. 6,133,292 (incorporated by reference), and described by:

wherein:

-   -   Z³ is selected from the group consisting of linear or branched        C₁-C₆ alkyl, linear or branched C₁-C₆ alkoxy, unsubstituted,        mono-, di- or tri-substituted phenyl or naphthyl wherein the        substituents are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,        halo, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, CN, C₁-C₃ fluoroalkyl C₁-C₃ alkyl, and        —CO₂H;    -   R⁴⁸ is selected from the group consisting of NH₂ and CH₃,    -   R⁴⁹ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl        unsubstituted or substituted with C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, and C₃-C₆        cycloalkyl;    -   R⁵⁰ is selected from the group consisting of: C₁-C₆ alkyl        unsubstituted or substituted with one, two or three fluoro        atoms, and C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl;    -   with the proviso that R⁴⁹ and R⁵⁰ are not the same.

Pyridines that are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,596,736, 6,369,275,6,127,545, 6,130,334, 6,204,387, 6,071,936, 6,001,843 and 6,040,450 (allincorporated by reference), and can seve as Cox-2 selective inhibitorsof the present invention, have the general formula described by formula:

-   -   wherein:    -   R⁵¹ is selected from the group consisting of CH₃, NH₂,        NHC(O)CF₃, and NHCH₃;    -   Z⁴ is a mono-, di-, or trisubstituted phenyl or pyridinyl (or        the N-oxide thereof), wherein the substituents are chosen from        the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₆        alkylthio, CN, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ fluoroalkyl, N₃, —CO₂R⁵³,        hydroxyl, —C(R⁵⁴)(R⁵⁵)—OH, —C₁-C₆ alkyl-CO₂—R⁵⁶,        C₁-C₆fluoroalkoxy;    -   R⁵² is chosen from the group consisting of: halo, C₁-C₆ alkoxy,        C₁-C₆alkylthio, CN, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ fluoroalkyl, N₃, —CO₂R⁵⁷,        hydroxyl, —C(R⁵⁸)(R⁵⁹)—OH, —C₁-C₆ alkyl-CO₂—R⁶⁰, C₁-C₆        fluoroalkoxy, NO₂, NR⁶¹R⁶², and NHCOR⁶³;    -   R⁵³, R⁵⁴, R⁵⁵, R⁵⁶, R⁵⁷, R⁵⁸, R⁵⁹, R⁶⁰, R⁶¹, R⁶², and R⁶³, are        each independently chosen from the group consisting of hydrogen        and C₁-C₆ alkyl;    -   or R⁵⁴ and R⁵⁵, R⁵⁸ and R⁵⁹, or R⁶¹ and R⁶² together with the        atom to which they are attached form a saturated monocyclic ring        of 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 atoms.

Materials that can serve as the Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention include diarylbenzopyran derivatives that are described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,340,694 (incorporated by reference). Suchdiarylbenzopyran derivatives have the general formula shown below:

-   -   wherein:    -   X⁸ is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom;    -   R⁶⁴ and R⁶⁵, identical to or different from each other, are        independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₆ lower        alkyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, an alkoxy group, a        hydroxyl group, a nitro group, a nitrile group, or a carboxyl        group;    -   R⁶⁶ is a group of a formula: S(O)_(n)R⁶⁸ wherein n is an integer        of 02, R⁶⁸ is a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₆ lower alkyl group, or a        group of a formula: NR⁶⁹R⁷⁰ wherein R⁶⁹ and R⁷⁰, identical to or        different from each other, are independently a hydrogen atom, or        a C₁-C₆ lower alkyl group; and    -   R⁶⁷ is oxazolyl, benzo[b]thienyl, furanyl, thienyl, naphthyl,        thiazolyl, indolyl, pyrolyl, benzofuranyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazolyl        substituted with a C₁-C₆ lower alkyl group, indanyl, pyrazinyl,        or a substituted group represented by the following structures:

wherein:

-   -   R⁷¹ through R⁷⁵, identical to or different from one another, are        independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₆ lower        alkyl group, a trifluoromethyl group, an alkoxy group, a        hydroxyl group, a hydroxyalkyl group, a nitro group, a group of        a formula: S(O)_(n)R⁶⁸, a group of a formula: NR⁶⁹R⁷⁰, a        trifluoromethoxy group, a nitrile group a carboxyl group, an        acetyl group, or a formyl group,    -   wherein n, R⁶⁸, R⁶⁹ and R⁷⁰ have the same meaning as defined by        R⁶⁶ above; and    -   R⁷⁶ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₁-C₆ lower alkyl        group, a trifluoromethyl group, an alkoxy group, a hydroxyl        group, a trifluoromethoxy group, a carboxyl group, or an acetyl        group.

Materials that can serve as the Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention include 1-(4-sulfamylaryl)-3-substituted-5-aryl-2-pyrazolinesthat are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,376,519 (incorporated byreference). Such 1-(4-sulfamylaryl)-3-substituted-5-aryl-2-pyrazolineshave the formula shown below:

-   -   wherein:    -   X⁹ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ trihalomethyl,        preferably trifluoromethyl; C₁-C₆ alkyl; and an optionally        substituted or di-substituted phenyl group of formula:

-   -   wherein:    -   R⁷⁷ and R⁷⁸ are independently selected from the group consisting        of hydrogen, halogen, preferably chlorine, fluorine and bromine;        hydroxyl; nitro; C₁-C₆ alkyl, preferably C₁-C₃ alkyl; C₁-C₆        alkoxy, preferably C₁-C₃ alkoxy; carboxy; C₁-C₆ trihaloalkyl,        preferably trihalomethyl, most preferably trifluoromethyl; and        cyano;    -   Z⁵ is selected from the group consisting of substituted and        unsubstituted aryl.

Compounds useful as Cox-2 selective inhibitors of the present inventioninclude heterocycles that are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,153,787(incorporated by reference). Such heterocycles have the general formulasshown below:

-   -   wherein:    -   R⁷⁹ is a mono-, di-, or tri-substituted C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, or a        mono-, or an unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted        linear or branched C₂-C₁₀alkenyl, or an unsubstituted or mono-,        di- or tri-substituted linear or branched C₂-C₁₀ alkynyl, or an        unsubstituted or mono-, di- or tri-substituted        C₃-C₁₂cycloalkenyl, or an unsubstituted or mono-, di- or        tri-substituted C₅-C₁₂cycloalkynyl, wherein the substituents are        chosen from the group consisting of halo selected from F, C₁,        Br, and 1, OH, CF₃, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, ═O, dioxolane, CN;    -   R⁸⁰ is selected from the group consisting of CH₃, NH₂,        NHC(O)CF₃, and NHCH₃;    -   R⁸¹ and R⁸² are independently chosen from the group consisting        of hydrogen and C₁-C₁₀ alkyl;    -   or R⁸¹ and R⁸² together with the carbon to which they are        attached form a saturated monocyclic carbon ring of 3, 4, 5, 6        or 7 atoms.

Another example is the structure:

-   -   wherein X¹⁰ is fluoro or chloro.

Materials that can serve as the Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention include 2,3,5-trisubstituted pyridines that are described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,046,217 (incorporated by reference). Such pyridines havethe general formula shown below:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

-   -   wherein:    -   X¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of O, S, and a bond;    -   n is 0 or 1;    -   R⁸³ is selected from the group consisting of CH₃, NH₂, and        NHC(O)CF₃;    -   R⁸⁴ is chosen from the group consisting of halo, C₁-C₆ alkoxy,        C₁-C₆ alkylthio, CN, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ fluoroalkyl, N₃,        —CO₂R⁹², hydroxyl, —C(R⁹³)(R⁹⁴)—OH, —C₁-C₆ alkyl-CO₂—R⁹⁵, C₁-C₆        fluoroalkoxy, NO₂, NR⁹⁶R⁹⁷, and NHCOR⁹⁸;    -   R⁸⁵ to R⁸⁹ are independently chosen from the group consisting of        hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl;    -   or R⁸⁵ and R⁸⁹, or R⁸⁹ and R⁹⁰ together with the atoms to which        they are attached form a carbocyclic ring of 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7        atoms, or R⁸⁵ and R⁸⁷ are joined to form a bond.

Compounds that are useful as the Cox-2 selective inhibitor of thepresent invention include diaryl bicyclic heterocycles that aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,421 (incorporated by reference). Suchdiaryl bicyclic heterocycles have the general formula shown below:

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein:

-   -   A⁵=A⁶-A⁷=A⁸- is selected from the group consisting of:    -   (a) —CH═CH—CH═CH—,    -   (b) —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—, —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—CH₂—, —CH₂—C(O)—CH₂—CH₂,        —C(O)—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂,    -   (c) —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—, —CH₂—C(O)—CH₂—, —C(O)—CH₂—CH₂—    -   (d) —CH₂—CH₂—O—C(O)—, CH₂—O—C(O)—CH₂—, —O—C(O)—CH₂—CH₂—,    -   (e) —CH₂—CH₂—C(O)—O—, —CH₂—C(O)—OCH₂—, —C(O)—O—CH₂—CH₂—,    -   (f) —C(R¹⁰⁵)₂—O—C(O)—, —C(O)—O—C(R¹⁰⁵)₂, —O—C(O)C(R¹⁵)₂—,        C(R105)₂—C(O)—O—,    -   (g) —N═CH—CH═CH—,    -   (h) —CH═N—CH═CH—,    -   (i) —CH═CH—N═CH—,    -   (j) —CH═CH—CH═N—,    -   (k) —N═CH—CH═N—,    -   (l) —N═CH—N═CH—,    -   (m) —CH═N—CH═N—,    -   (n) —S—CH═N—,    -   (o) —S—N═CH—,    -   (p) —N═N—NH—,    -   (q) —CH═N—S—, and    -   (r) —N═CH—S—;    -   R⁹⁹ is selected from the group consisting of S(O)₂CH₃, S(O)₂NH₂,        S(O)₂NHCOCF₃, S(O)(NH)CH₃, S(O)(NH)NH₂, S(O)(NH)NHCOCF₃,        P(O)(CH₃)OH, and P(O)(CH₃)NH₂;    -   R¹⁰⁰ is selected from the group consisting of:    -   (a) C₁-C₆ alkyl,    -   (b) C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl,    -   (c) mono- or di-substituted phenyl or naphthyl wherein the        substituent is selected from the group consisting of:        -   (1) hydrogen,        -   (2) halo, including F, C₁, Br, I,        -   (3) C₁-C₆ alkoxy,        -   (4) C₁-C₆ alkylthio,        -   (5) CN,        -   (6) CF₃,        -   (7) C₁-C₆ alkyl,        -   (8) N₃,        -   (9) —CO₂H,        -   (10) —CO₂—C₁-C₄ alkyl,        -   (11) —C(R¹⁰³)(R¹⁰⁴)—OH,        -   (12) —C(R¹⁰³)(R¹⁰⁴)—O—C₁-C₄ alkyl, and        -   (13) —C₁-C₆ alkyl-CO₂—R¹⁰⁶;    -   (d) mono- or di-substituted heteroaryl wherein the heteroaryl is        a monocyclic aromatic ring of 5 atoms, said ring having one        hetero atom which is S, O, or N, and optionally 1, 2, or 3        additional N atoms; or the heteroaryl is a monocyclic ring of 6        atoms, said ring having one hetero atom which is N, and        optionally 1, 2, 3, or 4 additional N atoms; said substituents        are selected from the group consisting of:        -   (1) hydrogen,        -   (2) halo, including fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo,        -   (3) C₁-C₆ alkyl,        -   (4) C₁-C₆ alkoxy,        -   (5) C₁-C₆ alkylthio,        -   (6) CN,        -   (7) CF₃,        -   (8) N₃,        -   (9) —C(R¹⁰³)(R¹⁰⁴)—OH, and        -   (10) —C(R¹⁰³)(R¹⁰⁴)—O—C₁-C₄ alkyl;    -   (e) benzoheteroaryl which includes the benzo fused analogs of        (d);    -   R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² are the substituents residing on any position of        -A⁵=A⁶-A⁷=A- and are selected independently from the group        consisting of:    -   (a) hydrogen,    -   (b) CF₃,    -   (c) CN,    -   (d) C₁-C₆ alkyl,    -   (e) -Q³ wherein Q³ is Q⁴, CO₂H, C(R¹⁰³)(R¹⁰⁴)OH,    -   (f) —O-Q⁴,    -   (g) —S-Q⁴, and    -   (h) optionally substituted:        -   (1) —C₁-C₅ alkyl-Q³,        -   (2) —O—C₁-C₅ alkyl-Q³,        -   (3) —S—C₁-C₅ alkyl-Q³,        -   (4) —C₁-C₃ alkyl-O—C₁-3 alkyl-Q³,        -   (5) —C₁-C₃ alkyl-S—C₁-3 alkyl-Q³,        -   (6) —C₁-C₅ alkyl-O-Q⁴,        -   (7) —C₁-C₅ alkyl-S-Q⁴,    -    wherein the substituent resides on the alkyl chain and the        substituent is C₁-C₃ alkyl, and Q³ is Q⁴, CO₂H, C(R¹⁰³)(R¹⁰⁴)OH        Q⁴ is CO₂—C₁-C₄ alkyl, tetrazolyl-5-yl, or C(R¹⁰³)(R¹⁰⁴)O—C₁-C₄        alkyl;    -   R¹⁰³, R¹⁰⁴ and R¹⁰⁵ are each independently selected from the        group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₆ alkyl; or    -   R¹⁰³ and R¹⁰⁴ together with the carbon to which they are        attached form a saturated monocyclic carbon ring of 3, 4, 5, 6        or 7 atoms, or two R¹⁰⁵ groups on the same carbon form a        saturated monocyclic carbon ring of 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 atoms;    -   R¹⁰⁶ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl;    -   R¹⁰⁷ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or aryl;    -   X⁷ is O, S, NR¹⁰⁷, CO, C(R¹⁰⁷)₂, C(R¹⁰⁷)(OH), —C(R¹⁰⁷)═C(R¹⁰⁷)—;        —C(R¹⁰⁷)═N—; or —N═C(R¹⁰⁷)—.

Compounds that may act as Cox-2 selective inhibitors include salts of5-amino or a substituted amino 1,2,3-triazole compound that aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,137 (incorporated by reference). Thesalts are of a class of compounds of formula:

wherein:

-   -   R¹⁰⁸ is:

wherein:

-   -   p is 0 to 2; m is 0 to 4; and n is 0 to 5;    -   X¹³ is O, S, SO, SO₂, CO, CHCN, CH₂ or C═NR¹¹³ wherein R¹¹³ is        hydrogen, loweralkyl, hydroxyl, loweralkoxy, amino,        loweralkylamino, diloweralkylamino or cyano;    -   R¹¹¹ and R¹¹² are independently halogen, cyano, trifluoromethyl,        loweralkanoyl, nitro, loweralkyl, loweralkoxy, carboxy,        lowercarbalkoxy, trifuloromethoxy, acetamido, loweralkylthio,        loweralkylsulfinyl, loweralkylsulfonyl, trichlorovinyl,        trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylsulfinyl, or        trifluoromethylsulfonyl;    -   R¹⁰⁹ is amino, mono or diloweralkyl amino, acetamido, acetimido,        ureido, formamido, or guanidino; and    -   R¹¹⁰ is carbamoyl, cyano, carbazoyl, amidino or        N-hydroxycarbamoyl;    -   wherein the loweralkyl, loweralkyl containing, loweralkoxy and        loweralkanoyl groups contain from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

Pyrazole derivatives such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,831(incorporated by reference) can serve as a Cox-2 selective inhibitor ofthe present invention. Such pyrazole derivatives have the formula shownbelow:

-   -   wherein:    -   R¹¹⁴ is hydrogen or halogen;    -   R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ are each independently hydrogen, halogen, lower        alkyl, lower alkoxy, hydroxyl or lower alkanoyloxy;    -   R¹¹⁷ is lower haloalkyl or lower alkyl;    -   X¹⁴ is sulfur, oxygen or NH; and    -   Z⁶ is lower alkylthio, lower alkylsulfonyl or sulfamoyl;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Materials that can serve as a Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention include substituted derivatives of benzosulphonamides that aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,297,282 (incorporated by reference). Suchbenzosulphonamide derivatives have the formula shown below:

wherein:

-   -   X¹⁵ denotes oxygen, sulphur or NH;    -   R¹¹⁸ is an optionally unsaturated alkyl or alkyloxyalkyl group,        optionally mono- or polysubstituted or mixed substituted by        halogen, alkoxy, oxo or cyano, a cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl        group optionally mono- or polysubstituted or mixed substituted        by halogen, alkyl, CF₃, cyano or alkoxy;    -   R¹¹⁹ and R¹²⁰, independently from one another, denote hydrogen,        an optionally polyfluorised alkyl group, an aralkyl, aryl or        heteroaryl group or a group (CH₂)_(n)—X¹⁶; or    -   R¹¹⁹ and R¹²⁰, together with the N-atom, denote a 3 to        7-membered, saturated, partially or completely unsaturated        heterocycle with one or more heteroatoms N, O or S, which can        optionally be substituted by oxo, an alkyl, alkylaryl or aryl        group, or a group (CH₂)_(n)—X¹⁶;    -   X¹⁶ denotes halogen, NO₂, —OR¹²¹, —COR¹²¹, —CO₂R¹²¹, —OCO₂R¹²¹,        —CN, —CONR¹²¹R¹²², —CONR¹²¹R¹²², —SR¹²¹, —S(O)R¹²¹, —S(O)₂R¹²¹,        —NR¹²¹R¹²², —NHC(O)R¹²¹, —NHS(O)₂R¹²¹;    -   n denotes a whole number from 0 to 6;    -   R¹²³ denotes a straight-chained or branched alkyl group with        1-10 C-atoms, a cycloalkyl group, an alkylcarboxyl group, an        aryl group, aralkyl group, a heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl group        which can optionally be mono- or polysubstituted or mixed        substituted by halogen or alkoxy;    -   R¹²⁴ denotes halogen, hydroxyl, a straight-chained or branched        alkyl, alkoxy, acyloxy or alkyloxycarbonyl group with 1-6        C-atoms, which can optionally be mono- or polysubstituted by        halogen, NO₂, —OR¹²¹, —COR¹²¹, —CO₂R¹²¹, —OCO₂R¹²¹, —CN,        —CONR¹²¹R¹²², —CONR¹²¹R¹²², —SR¹²¹, —S(O)R¹²¹, —S(O)₂R¹²¹,        —NR¹²¹R¹²², —NHC(O)R¹²¹, —NHS(O)₂R¹²¹, or a polyfluoroalkyl        group;    -   R¹²¹ and R¹²², independently from one another, denote hydrogen,        alkyl, aralkyl or aryl; and    -   m denotes a whole number from 0 to 2;    -   and the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof.

Compounds that are useful as Cox-2 selective inhibitors of the presentinvention include phenyl heterocycles that are described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,474,995 (incorporated by reference) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,173(incorporated by reference). Such phenyl heterocyclic compounds have theformula shown below:

-   -   or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein:    -   X¹⁷—Y¹—Z⁷-is selected from the group consisting of:        -   (a) —CH₂CH₂CH₂—,        -   (b) —C(O)CH₂CH₂—,        -   (c) —CH₂CH₂C(O)—,        -   (d) —CR¹²⁹(R^(129′))—O—C(O)—,        -   (e) —C(O)—O—CR¹²⁹(R^(129′))—,        -   (f) —CH₂—NR¹²⁷—CH₂—,        -   (g) —CR¹²⁹(R^(129′))—NR¹²⁷—C(O)—,        -   (h) —CR¹²⁸═CR^(128′)—S—        -   (i) —S—CR¹²⁸═CR^(128′)—,        -   (j) —S—N═CH—,        -   (k) —CH═N—S—,        -   (l) —N═CR¹²⁸—O—,        -   (m) —O—CR¹²⁸═N—,        -   (n) —N═CR¹²⁸—NH—,        -   (o) —N═CR¹²⁸—S—, and        -   (p) —S—CR¹²⁸═N—,        -   (q) —C(O)—NR¹²⁷—CR¹²⁹(R^(129′))—,        -   (r) —R²⁷N—CH═CH— provided R¹²² is not —S(O)₂CH₃,        -   (s) —CH═CH—NR¹²⁷— provided R¹²⁵ is not —S(O)₂CH₃;    -   when side b is a double bond, and sides a and c are single        bonds; and    -   X¹⁷—Y¹—Z⁷-is selected from the group consisting of:        -   (a) ═CH—O—CH═, and        -   (b) ═CH—NR¹²⁷—CH═,        -   (c) ═N—S—CH═,        -   (d) ═CH—S—N═,        -   (e) ═N—O—CH═,        -   (f) ═CH—O—N═,        -   (g) ═N—S—N═,        -   (h) ═N—O—N═,    -   when sides a and c are double bonds and side b is a single bond;    -   R¹²⁵ is selected from the group consisting of:        -   (a) S(O)₂CH₃,        -   (b) S(O)₂NH₂,        -   (c) S(O)₂NHC(O)CF₃,        -   (d) S(O)(NH)CH₃,        -   (e) S(O)(NH)NH₂,        -   (f) S(O)(NH)NHC(O)CF₃,        -   (g) P(O)(CH₃)OH, and        -   (h) P(O)(CH₃)NH₂;    -   R¹²⁶ is selected from the group consisting of        -   (a) C₁-C₆ alkyl,        -   (b) C₃, C₄, C₅, C₆, and C₇, cycloalkyl,        -   (c) mono-, di- or tri-substituted phenyl or naphthyl,            wherein the substituent is selected from the group            consisting of:            -   (1) hydrogen,            -   (2) halo,            -   (3) C₁-C₆ alkoxy,            -   (4) C₁-C₆ alkylthio,            -   (5) CN,            -   (6) CF₃,            -   (7) C₁-C₆ alkyl,            -   (8) N₃,            -   (9) —CO₂H,            -   (10) —CO₂—C₁-C₄ alkyl,            -   (11) —C(R¹²⁹)(R¹³⁰)—OH,            -   (12) —C(R¹²⁹)(R¹³⁰)—O—C₁-C₄ alkyl, and            -   (13) —C₁-C₆ alkyl-CO₂—R¹²⁹;        -   (d) mono-, di- or tri-substituted heteroaryl wherein the            heteroaryl is a monocyclic aromatic ring of 5 atoms, said            ring having one hetero atom which is S, O, or N, and            optionally 1, 2, or 3 additionally N atoms; or the            heteroaryl is a monocyclic ring of 6 atoms, said ring having            one hetero atom which is N, and optionally 1, 2, 3, or 4            additional N atoms; said substituents are selected from the            group consisting of:            -   (1) hydrogen,            -   (2) halo, including fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo,            -   (3) C₁-C₆ alkyl,            -   (4) C₁-C₆ alkoxy,            -   (5) C₁-C₆ alkylthio,            -   (6) CN,            -   (7) CF₃,            -   (8) N₃,            -   (9) —C(R¹²⁹)(R¹³⁰)—OH, and            -   (10) —C(R¹²⁹)(R¹³⁰)—O—C₁-C₄ alkyl;        -   (e) benzoheteroaryl which includes the benzo fused analogs            of (d);    -   R¹²⁷ is selected from the group consisting of:        -   (a) hydrogen,        -   (b) CF₃,        -   (c) CN,        -   (d) C₁-C₆ alkyl,        -   (e) hydroxyl C₁-C₆ alkyl,        -   (f) —C(O)—C₁-C₆ alkyl,        -   (g) optionally substituted:            -   (1) —C₁-C₅ alkyl-Q⁵,            -   (2) —C₁-C₅ alkyl-O—C₁-C₃ alkyl-Q⁵,            -   (3) —C₁-C₃ alkyl-S—C₁-C₃ alkyl-Q⁵,            -   (4) —C₁-C₅ alkyl-O-QS, or            -   (5) —C₁-C₅ alkyl-S-Q⁵,    -   wherein the substituent resides on the alkyl and the substituent        is C₁-C₃ alkyl;        -   (h) -Q⁵;    -   R¹²⁸ and R^(128′) are each independently selected from the group        consisting of:        -   (a) hydrogen,        -   (b) CF₃,        -   (c) CN,        -   (d) C₁-C₆ alkyl,        -   (e) -Q⁵,        -   (f) —O-Q⁵;        -   (g) —S-Q⁵, and        -   (h) optionally substituted:            -   (1) —C₁-C₅ alkyl-Q⁵,            -   (2) —O—C₁-C₅ alkyl-Q⁵,            -   (3) —S—C₁-C₅ alkyl-Q⁵,            -   (4) —C₁-C₃ alkyl-O—C₁-C₃ alkyl-Q⁵,            -   (5) —C₁-C₃ alkyl-S—C₁-C₃ alkyl-Q⁵,            -   (6) —C₁-C₅ alkyl-O-Q⁵,            -   (7) —C₁-C₅ alkyl-S-Q⁵,    -   wherein the substituent resides on the alkyl and the substituent        is C₁-C₃ alkyl, and    -   R²⁹, R²⁹, R³⁰, R³ and R¹³² are each independently selected from        the group consisting of:        -   (a) hydrogen,        -   (b) C₁-C₆ alkyl;    -   or R¹²⁹ and R¹³⁰ or R¹³¹ and R¹³² together with the carbon to        which they are attached form a saturated monocyclic carbon ring        of 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 atoms;    -   Q⁵ is CO₂H, CO₂—C₁-C₄ alkyl, tetrazolyl-5-yl, C(R¹³¹)(R¹³²)(OH),        or C(R¹³¹)(R¹³²)(O—C₁-C₄ alkyl);    -   provided that when X—Y—Z is —S—CR¹²⁸═CR^(128′) then R¹²⁸ and        R^(128′) are other than CF₃.

An exemplary phenyl heterocycle that is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,239,173 is 3-phenyl-4-(4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-2-(2H)-furanone.

Bicycliccarbonyl indole compounds such as those described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,303,628 (incorporated by reference) are useful as Cox-2 selectiveinhibitors of the present invention. Such bicycliccarbonyl indolecompounds have the formula shown below:

-   -   or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein:    -   A⁹ is C₁-C₆ alkylene or —NR¹³³—;    -   Z⁸ is C(=L³)R¹³⁴, or SO₂R¹³⁵;    -   Z⁹ is CH or N;    -   Z¹ and Y² are independently selected from —CH₂—, O, S and        —N—R¹³³;    -   m is 1, 2 or 3;    -   q and r are independently 0, 1 or 2;    -   X¹⁸ is independently selected from halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl,        halo-substituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy,        halo-substituted C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ alkylthio, nitro, amino,        mono- or di-(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino and cyano;    -   n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;    -   L³ is oxygen or sulfur;    -   R¹³³ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄ alkyl;    -   R¹³⁴ is hydroxyl, C₁-C₆ alkyl, halo-substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl,        C₁-C₆ alkoxy, halo-substituted C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₃-C₇ cycloalkoxy,        C₁-C₄ alkyl(C₃-C₇ cycloalkoxy), —NR¹³⁶R¹³⁷, C₁-C₄        alkylphenyl-O—or phenyl-O—, said phenyl being optionally        substituted with one to five substituents independently selected        from halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy and nitro;    -   R¹³⁵ is C₁-C₆ alkyl or halo-substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl; and    -   R¹³⁶ and R¹³⁷ are independently selected from hydrogen, C₁-6        alkyl and halo-substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl.

Materials that can serve as a Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention include benzimidazole compounds that are described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,310,079 (incorporated by reference). Such benzimidazolecompounds have the formula shown below:

-   -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:    -   A¹⁰ is heteroaryl selected from    -   a 5-membered monocyclic aromatic ring having one hetero atom        selected from O, S and N and optionally containing one to three        N atom(s) in addition to said hetero atom, or    -   a 6-membered monocyclic aromatic ring having one N atom and        optionally containing one to four N atom(s) in addition to said        N atom; and said heteroaryl being connected to the nitrogen atom        on the benzimidazole through a carbon atom on the heteroaryl        ring;    -   X²⁰ is independently selected from halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl,        C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halo-substituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl-substituted        C₁-C₄ alkyl, (C₁-C₄alkoxy)C₁-C₄ alkyl, halo-substituted C₁-C₄        alkoxy, amino, N—(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino, N,N-di(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino,        [N—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino]C₁-C₄ alkyl, [N,N-di(C₁-C₄        alkyl)amino]C₁-C₄ alkyl, N—(C₁-C₄ alkanoyl)amino, N—(C₁-C₄        alkyl)(C₁-C₄ alkanoyl)amino, N—[(C₁-C₄ alkyl)sulfonyl]amino,        N-[(halo-substituted C₁-C₄ alkyl)sulfonyl]amino, C₁-C₄ alkanoyl,        carboxy, (C₁-C₄ alkoxy)carbonyl, carbamoyl, [N—(C₁-C₄        alkyl)amino]carbonyl, [N,N-di(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino]carbonyl, cyano,        nitro, mercapto, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)thio, (C₁-C₄alkyl)sulfinyl, (C₁-C₄        alkyl)sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, [N—(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino]sulfonyl and        [N,N-di(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino]sulfonyl;    -   X²¹ is independently selected from halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl,        C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halo-substituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl-substituted        C₁-C₄ alkyl, (C₁-C₄alkoxy)C₁-C₄ alkyl, halo-substituted C₁-C₄        alkoxy, amino, N—(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino, N,N-di(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino,        [N—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino]C₁-C₄ alkyl, [N,N-di(C₁-C₄        alkyl)amino]C₁-C₄ alkyl, N—(C₁-C₄ alkanoyl)amino, N—(C₁-C₄        alkyl)-N—(C₁-C₄ alkanoyl)amino, N—[(C₁-C₄ alkyl)sulfonyl]amino,        N-[(halo-substituted C₁-C₄ alkyl)sulfonyl]amino, C₁-C₄ alkanoyl,        carboxy, (C₁-C₄ alkoxy)hydroxyl, carbamoyl, [N—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)        amino]carbonyl, [N,N-di(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino]carbonyl,        N-carbamoylamino, cyano, nitro, mercapto, (C₁-C₄alkyl)thio,        (C₁-C₄ alkyl)sulfinyl, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl,        [N—(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino]sulfonyl and [N,N-di(C₁-C₄        alkyl)amino]sulfonyl;    -   R¹³⁸ is selected from:    -   hydrogen;    -   straight or branched C₁-C₄ alkyl optionally substituted with one        to three substituent(s) wherein said substituents are        independently selected from halo, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, amino,        N—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino and N,N-di(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino;    -   C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl optionally substituted with one to three        substituent(s) wherein said substituents are independently        selected from halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, amino,        N—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino and N,N-di(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino;    -   C₄-C₈ cycloalkenyl optionally substituted with one to three        substituent(s) wherein said substituents are independently        selected from halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, amino,        N—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino and N,N-di(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino;    -   phenyl optionally substituted with one to three substituent(s)        wherein said substituents are independently selected from halo,        C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halo-substituted C₁-C₄        alkyl, oydroxyl-substituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, (C₁-C₄ alkoxy)C₁-C₄        alkyl, halo-substituted C₁-C₄ alkoxy, amino,        N—(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino, N,N-di(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino, [N—(C₁-C₄        alkyl)amino]C₁-C₄ alkyl, [N,N-di(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino]C₁-C₄ alkyl,        N—(C₁-C₄ alkanoyl)amino, N—[C₁-C₄ alkyl)(C₁-C₄ alkanoyl)]amino,        N—[(C₁-C₄ alkyl)sulfony]amino, N-[(halo-substituted        C₁-C₄alkyl)sulfonyl]amino, C₁-C₄ alkanoyl, carboxy, (C₁-C₄        alkoxy)carbonyl, carbomoyl, [N—(C₁-C₄ alky)amino]carbonyl,        [N,N-di(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino]carbonyl, cyano, nitro, mercapto,        (C₁-C₄ alkyl)thio, (C₁-C₄alkyl)sulfinyl, (C₁-C₄ alkyl)sulfonyl,        aminosulfonyl, [N—(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino]sulfonyl and [N,N-di(C₁-C₄        alkyl)amino]sulfonyl; and    -   heteroaryl selected from: a 5-membered monocyclic aromatic ring        having one hetero atom selected from O, S and N and optionally        containing one to three N atom(s) in addition to said hetero        atom; or a 6-membered monocyclic aromatic ring having one N atom        and optionally containing one to four N atom(s) in addition to        said N atom; and said heteroaryl being optionally substituted        with one to three substituent(s) selected from X²⁰;    -   R¹³⁹ and R¹⁴⁰ are independently selected from: hydrogen; halo;        C₁-C₄ alkyl; phenyl optionally substituted with one to three        substituent(s) wherein said substituents are independently        selected from halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, amino,        N—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino and N,N-di(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino;    -   or R¹³⁸ and R¹³⁹ can form, together with the carbon atom to        which they are attached, a C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl ring;    -   m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; and    -   n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4.

Compounds that may be employed as a Cox-2 selective inhibitor of thepresent invention include indole compounds that are described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,300,363 (incorporated by reference). Such indole compoundshave the formula shown below:

-   -   and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein:    -   L⁴ is oxygen or sulfur;    -   Y³ is a direct bond or C₁-C₄ alkylidene;    -   Q⁶ is:    -   (a) C₁-C₆ alkyl or halosubstituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, said alkyl being        optionally substituted with up to three substituents        independently selected from hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, amino and        mono- or di-(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino,    -   (b) C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl optionally substituted with up to three        substituents independently selected from hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkyl        and C₁-C₄ alkoxy,    -   (c) phenyl or naphthyl, said phenyl or naphthyl being optionally        substituted with up to four substituents independently selected        from:    -   (c-1) halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, halosubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl,        C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halosubstituted C₁-C₄ alkoxy, S(O)_(m)—R¹⁴³,        SO₂NH₂, SO₂N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, amino, mono- or di-(C₁-C₄        alkyl)amino, NHSO₂R¹⁴³, NHC(O)R¹⁴³, CN, CO₂H, CO₂(C₁-C₄ alkyl),        C₁-C₄ alkyl-OH, C₁-C₄ alkyl-OR¹⁴³, CONH₂, CONH(C₁-C₄ alkyl),        CON(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂ and —O—Y-phenyl, said phenyl being optionally        substituted with one or two substituents independently selected        from halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, CF₃, hydroxyl, OR¹⁴³, S(O)_(m)—R¹⁴³,        amino, mono- or di-(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino and CN;    -   (d) a monocyclic aromatic group of 5 atoms, said aromatic group        having one heteroatom selected from O, S and N and optionally        containing up to three N atoms in addition to said heteroatom,        and said aromatic group being substituted with up to three        substitutents independently selected from:    -   (d-1) halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, halosubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl,        C₁-C₄ alkoxy, halosubstituted C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ alkyl-OH,        S(O)_(m)—R¹⁴³, SO₂NH₂, SO₂N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, amino, mono- or        di-(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino, NHSO₂R¹⁴³, NHC(O)R¹⁴³, CN, CO₂H,        CO₂(C₁-C₄ alkyl), C₁-C₄ alkyl-OR¹⁴³, CONH₂, CONH(C₁-C₄ alkyl),        CON(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, phenyl, and mono-, di- or tri-substituted        phenyl wherein the substituent is independently selected from        halo, CF₃, C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, OCF3, SR¹⁴³,        SO₂CH₃, SO₂NH₂, amino, C₁-4 alkylamino and NHSO₂R¹⁴³;    -   (e) a monocyclic aromatic group of 6 atoms, said aromatic group        having one heteroatom which is N and optionally containing up to        three atoms in addition to said heteroatom, and said aromatic        group being substituted with up to three substituents        independently selected from the above group (d-1);    -   R¹⁴¹ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with a        substituent selected independently from hydroxyl, OR¹⁴³, nitro,        amino, mono- or di-(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino, CO₂H, CO₂ (C₁-C₄ alkyl),        CONH₂, CONH(C₁-C₄ alkyl) and CON(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂;    -   R¹⁴² is:        -   (a) hydrogen,        -   (b) C₁-C₄ alkyl,        -   (c) C(O)R¹⁴⁵    -   wherein R¹⁴⁵ is selected from:    -   (c-1) C₁-C₂₂ alkyl or C₂-C₂₂ alkenyl, said alkyl or alkenyl        being optionally substituted with up to four substituents        independently selected from:    -   (c-1-1) halo, hydroxyl, OR¹⁴³, S(O)_(m)—R¹⁴³, nitro, amino,        mono- or di-(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino, NHSO₂R¹⁴³, CO₂H, CO₂(C₁-C₄        alkyl), CONH₂, CONH(C₁-C₄ alkyl), CON(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, OC(O)R¹⁴³,        thienyl, naphthyl and groups of the following formulas:

-   -   (c-2) C₁-C₂₂ alkyl or C₂-C₂₂ alkenyl, said alkyl or alkenyl        being optionally substituted with five to forty-five halogen        atoms,    -   (c-3) —Y⁵—C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl or —Y⁵—C₃-C₇ cycloalkenyl, said        cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl being optionally substituted with up        to three substituent independently selected from:    -   (c-3-1) C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl, OR¹⁴³S(O)_(m)—R¹⁴³, amino, mono        or di-(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino, CONH₂, CONH(C₁-C₄ alkyl) and CON(C₁-C₄        alkyl)₂,    -   (c-4) phenyl or naphthyl, said phenyl or naphthyl being        optionally substituted with up to seven (preferably up to seven)        substituents independently selected from:    -   (c-4-1) halo, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkyl-OH, hydroxyl, C₁-C₈        alkoxy, halosubstituted C₁-C₈ alkyl, halosubstituted C₁-C₈        alkoxy, CN, nitro, S(O)_(m)—R¹⁴³, SO₂NH₂, SO₂NH(C₁-C₄ alkyl),        SO₂N(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂, amino, C₁-C₄alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₄        alkyl)amino, CONH₂, CONH(C₁-C₄ alkyl), CON(C₁-C₄alkyl)₂,        OC(O)R¹⁴³, and phenyl optionally substituted with up to three        substituents independently selected from halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl,        hydroxyl, OCH₃, CF₃, OCF₃, CN, nitro, amino, mono- or di-(C₁-C₄        alkyl)amino, CO₂H, CO₂ (C₁-C₄ alkyl) and CONH₂,    -   (c-5) a monocyclic aromatic group as defined in (d) and (e)        above, said aromatic group being optionally substituted with up        to three substituents independently selected from:    -   (c-5-1) halo, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkyl-OH, hydroxyl, C₁-C₈        alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN, nitro, S(O)_(m)—R⁴³, amino, mono- or        di-(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino, CONH₂, CONH(C₁-C₄alkyl), CON(C₁-C₄        alkyl)₂, CO₂H and CO₂ (C₁-C₄ alkyl), and —Y-phenyl, said phenyl        being optionally substituted with up to three substituents        independently selected halogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄        alkoxy, CF₃, OCF₃, CN, nitro, S(O)_(m)—R¹⁴³, amino, mono- or        di-(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino, CO₂H, CO₂(C₁-C₄ alkyl), CONH₂, CONH(C₁-C₄        alkyl) and CON(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂,    -   (c-6) a group of the following formula:

-   -   X²² is halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy,        halosubstituted C₁-C₄alkoxy, S(O)_(m)—R¹⁴³, amino, mono- or        di-(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino, NHSO₂R¹⁴³, nitro, halosubstituted C₁-C₄        alkyl, CN, CO₂H, CO₂ (C₁-C₄ alkyl), C₁-C₄ alkyl-OH, C₁-C₄        alkylOR¹⁴³, CONH₂, CONH(C₁-C₄ alkyl) or CON(C₁-C₄ alkyl)₂;    -   R¹⁴³ is C₁-C₄ alkyl or halosubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl;    -   m is 0, 1 or 2; n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; p is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; q is 2        or 3;    -   Z¹¹ is oxygen, sulfur or NR¹⁴⁴; and    -   R₁₄₄ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, halosubstituted C₁-C₄ alkyl or        —Y⁵-phenyl, said phenyl being optionally substituted with up to        two substituents independently selected from halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl,        hydroxyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, S(O)_(m)—R¹⁴³, amino, mono- or di-(C₁-C₄        alkyl)amino, CF₃, OCF₃, CN and nitro;    -   with the proviso that a group of formula —Y⁵-Q is not methyl or        ethyl when X²² is hydrogen;    -   L⁴ is oxygen;    -   R¹⁴¹ is hydrogen; and    -   R¹⁴² is acetyl.

Aryl phenylhydrazides that are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,869(incorporated by reference) can serve as Cox-2 selective inhibitors ofthe present invention. Such aryl phenylhydrazides have the formulashown:

wherein:

-   -   X²³ and Y⁶ are selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, nitro,        amino, hydroxy, methoxy and methylsulfonyl;    -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Materials that can serve as a Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention include 2-aryloxy, 4-aryl furan-2-ones that are described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,140,515 (incorporated by reference). Such 2-aryloxy,4-aryl furan-2-ones have the formula shown below:

-   -   or a pharmaceutical salt thereof, wherein:    -   R¹⁴⁶ is selected from the group consisting of SCH3, —S(O)₂CH₃        and —S(O)₂NH₂;    -   R¹⁴⁷ is selected from the group consisting of OR¹⁵⁰, mono or        di-substituted phenyl or pyridyl wherein the substituents are        selected from the group consisting of methyl, chloro and F;    -   R¹⁵⁰ is unsubstituted or mono or di-substituted phenyl or        pyridyl wherein the substituents are selected from the group        consisting of methyl, chloro and F;    -   R¹⁴⁸ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups        of F, Cl or Br; and    -   R¹⁴⁹ is H, C₁-C₄ alkyl optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groups        of F, Cl or Br, with the proviso that R¹⁴⁸ and R¹⁴⁹ are not the        same.

Materials that can serve as a Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention include bisaryl compounds that are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,994,379 (incorporated by reference). Such bisaryl compounds have theformula shown below:

-   -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or tautomer        thereof, wherein:    -   Z¹³ is C or N;    -   when Z¹³ is N, R¹⁵¹ represents H or is absent, or is taken in        conjunction with R¹⁵² as described below:    -   when Z¹³ is C, R¹⁵¹ represents H and R¹⁵² is a moiety which has        the following characteristics:        -   (a) it is a linear chain of 3-4 atoms containing 0-2 double            bonds, which can adopt an energetically stable transoid            configuration and if a double bond is present, the bond is            in the trans configuration,        -   (b) it is lipophilic except for the atom bonded directly to            ring A, which is either lipophilic or non-lipophilic, and        -   (c) there exists an energetically stable configuration            planar with ring A to within about 15 degrees;    -   or R¹⁵¹ and R¹⁵² are taken in combination and represent a 5- or        6-membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring D fused to ring A, said        ring D containing 0-3 heteroatoms selected from O, S and N;    -   said ring D being lipophilic except for the atoms attached        directly to ring A, which are lipophilic or non-lipophilic, and        said ring D having available an energetically stable        configuration planar with ring A to within about 15 degrees;    -   said ring D further being substituted with 1 R^(a) group        selected from the group consisting of: C₁-C₂ alkyl, —OC₁—C₂        alkyl, —NHC, —C₂ alkyl, —N(C₁-C₂ alkyl)₂, —C(O)C₁-C₂ alkyl,        —S—C₁-C₂ alkyl and —C(S)C₁-C₂ alkyl;    -   Y⁷ represents N, CH or C—OC₁—C₃ alkyl, and when Z¹³ is N, Y⁷ can        also represent a carbonyl group;    -   R¹⁵³ represents H, Br, C₁ or F; and    -   R¹⁵⁴ represents H or CH₃.

Compounds useful as Cox-2 selective inhibitors of the present inventioninclude 1,5-diarylpyrazoles that are described in U.S. Pat. No.6,028,202 (incorporated by reference). Such 1,5-diarylpyrazoles have theformula shown below:

-   -   wherein:    -   R¹⁵⁵, R¹⁵⁶, R¹⁵⁷, and R¹⁵⁸ are independently selected from the        groups consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₅ alkyl, C₁-C₅ alkoxy,        phenyl, halo, hydroxyl, C₁-C₅alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₅ alkylthio,        trihaloC₁-C₅ alkyl, amino, nitro and 2-quinolinylmethoxy;    -   R¹⁵⁹ is hydrogen, C₁-C₅ alkyl, trihaloC₁-C₅ alkyl, phenyl,        substituted phenyl where the phenyl substitutents are halogen,        C₁-C₅ alkoxy, trihaloC₁-C₅ alkyl or nitro or R¹⁵⁹ is heteroaryl        of 5-7 ring members where at least one of the ring members is        nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen;    -   R¹⁶⁰ is hydrogen, C₁-C₅ alkyl, phenyl C₁-C₅ alkyl, substituted        phenyl C₁-C₅alkyl where the phenyl substitutents are halogen,        C₁-C₅ alkoxy, trihaloC₁-C₅alkyl or nitro, or R¹⁶⁰ is C₁-C₅        alkoxycarbonyl, phenoxycarbonyl, substituted phenoxycarbonyl        where the phenyl substitutents are halogen, C₁-C₅ alkoxy,        trihaloC₁-C₅ alkyl or nitro;    -   R¹⁶¹ is C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, substituted C₁-C₁₀ alkyl where the        substituents are halogen, trihaloC₁-C₅ alkyl, C₁-C₅ alkoxy,        carboxy, C₁-C₅ alkoxycarbonyl, amino, C₁-C₅ alkylamino, diC₁-C₅        alkylamino, diC₁-C₅ alkylaminoC₁-C₅alkylamino, C₁-C₅        alkylaminoC₁-C₅ alkylamino or a heterocycle containing 4-8 ring        atoms where one more of the ring atoms is nitrogen, oxygen or        sulfur, where said heterocycle may be optionally substituted        with C₁-C₅ alkyl; or R¹⁶¹ is phenyl, substituted phenyl (where        the phenyl substitutents are one or more of C₁-C₅ alkyl,        halogen, C₁-C₅ alkoxy, trihaloC₁-C₅ alkyl or nitro), or R¹⁶¹ is        heteroaryl having 5-7 ring atoms where one or more atoms are        nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, fused heteroaryl where one or more        5-7 membered aromatic rings are fused to the heteroaryl; or    -   R¹⁶¹ is NR¹⁶³R¹⁶⁴ where R¹⁶³ and R¹⁶⁴ are independently selected        from hydrogen and C₁₋₅ alkyl or R¹⁶³ and R¹⁶⁴ may be taken        together with the depicted nitrogen to form a heteroaryl ring of        5-7 ring members where one or more of the ring members is        nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen where said heteroaryl ring may be        optionally substituted with C₁-C₅ alkyl;    -   R¹⁶² is hydrogen, C₁-C₅alkyl, nitro, amino, and halogen;    -   or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Materials that can serve as a Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention include 2-substituted imidazoles that are described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,040,320 (incorporated by reference). Such 2-substitutedimidazoles have the formula shown below:

-   -   wherein:    -   R¹⁵⁴ is phenyl, heteroaryl wherein the heteroaryl contains 5 to        6 ring atoms, or substituted phenyl;    -   wherein the substituents are independently selected from one or        members of the group consisting of C₁-5 alkyl, halogen, nitro,        trifluoromethyl and nitrile;    -   R¹⁶⁵ is phenyl, heteroaryl wherein the heteroaryl contains 5 to        6 ring atoms, substituted heteroaryl;    -   wherein the substituents are independently selected from one or        more members of the group consisting of C₁-C₅ alkyl and halogen,        or    -   substituted phenyl,    -   wherein the substituents are independently selected from one or        members of the group consisting of C₁-C₅ alkyl, halogen, nitro,        trifluoromethyl and nitrile;    -   R¹⁶⁶ is hydrogen, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl), C₁-C₅        alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, arylC₁-C₅ alkyloxycarbonyl,        arylC₁-C₅ alkyl, phthalimidoC₁-C₅alkyl, aminoC₁-C₅ alkyl,        diaminoC₁-C₅ alkyl, succinimidoC₁-C₅ alkyl, C₁-C₅alkylcarbonyl,        arylcarbonyl, C₁-C₅ alkylcarbonylC₁-C₅ alkyl,        aryloxycarbonylC₁-C₅ alkyl, heteroarylC₁-C₅ alkyl where the        heteroaryl contains 5 to 6 ring atoms, or substituted arylC₁-C₅        alkyl, wherein the aryl substituents are independently selected        from one or more members of the group consisting of C₁-C₅ alkyl,        C₁-C₅ alkoxy, halogen, amino, C₁-C₅ alkylamino, and        diC₁-C₅alkylamino;    -   R¹⁶⁷ is (A¹¹)_(n)-(CH¹⁶⁵)_(q)—X²⁴ wherein:    -   A¹¹ is sulfur or carbonyl;    -   n is 0 or 1;    -   q is 0-9;    -   X²⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl,        halogen, vinyl, ethynyl, C₁-C₅ alkyl, C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl, C₁-C₅        alkoxy, phenoxy, phenyl, arylC₁-C₅ alkyl, amino, C₁-C₅        alkylamino, nitrile, phthalimido, amido, phenylcarbonyl, C₁-C₅        alkylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl,        arylC₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonyl, C₁-C₅ alkylthio, C₁-C₅        alkylsulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl,    -   substituted sulfonamido,    -   wherein the sulfonyl substituent is selected from the group        consisting of C₁-C₅ alkyl, phenyl, araC₁-C₅ alkyl, thienyl,        furanyl, and naphthyl; substituted vinyl,    -   wherein the substituents are independently selected from one or        members of the group consisting of fluorine, bromine, chlorine        and iodine, substituted ethynyl,    -   wherein the substituents are independently selected from one or        more members of the group consisting of fluorine, bromine        chlorine and iodine,    -   substituted C₁-C₅ alkyl,    -   wherein the substituents are selected from the group consisting        of one or more C₁-C₅ alkoxy, trihaloalkyl, phthalimido and        amino,    -   substituted phenyl,    -   wherein the phenyl substituents are independently selected from        one or more members of the group consisting of C₁-C₅ alkyl,        halogen and C₁-C₅ alkoxy,    -   substituted phenoxy,    -   wherein the phenyl substituents are independently selected from        one or more members of the group consisting of C₁-C₅ alkyl,        halogen and C₁-C₅ alkoxy,    -   substituted C₁-C₅ alkoxy,    -   wherein the alkyl substituent is selected from the group        consisting of phthalimido and amino,    -   substituted arylC₁-C₅ alkyl,    -   wherein the alkyl substituent is hydroxyl,    -   substituted arylC₁-C₅ alkyl,    -   wherein the phenyl substituents are independently selected from        one or more members of the group consisting of C₁-C₅ alkyl,        halogen and C₁-C₅ alkoxy,    -   substituted amido,    -   wherein the carbonyl substituent is selected from the group        consisting of C₁-C₅ alkyl, phenyl, arylC₁-C₅ alkyl, thienyl,        furanyl, and naphthyl,    -   substituted phenylcarbonyl,    -   wherein the phenyl substituents are independently selected from        one or members of the group consisting of C₁-C₅ alkyl, halogen        and C₁-C₅ alkoxy,    -   substituted C₁-C₅ alkylthio,    -   wherein the alkyl substituent is selected from the group        consisting of hydroxyl and phthalimido,    -   substituted C₁-C₅ alkylsulfonyl,    -   wherein the alkyl substituent is selected from the group        consisting of hydroxyl and phthalimido,    -   substituted phenylsulfonyl,    -   wherein the phenyl substituents are independently selected from        one or members of the group consisting of bromine, fluorine,        chlorine, C₁-C₅ alkoxy and trifluoromethyl,    -   with the proviso:    -   if A¹¹ is sulfur and X²⁴ is other than hydrogen, C₁-C₅        alkylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, arylC₁-C₅        alkylaminocarbonyl, C₁-C₅ alkylsulfonyl or phenylsulfonyl, then        q must be equal to or greater than 1;    -   if A¹¹ is sulfur and q is 1, then X²⁴ cannot be C₁-C₂ alkyl;    -   if A¹¹ is carbonyl and q is 0, then X²⁴ cannot be vinyl,        ethynyl, C₁-C₅alkylaminocarbonyl, phenylaminocarbonyl, arylC₁-C₅        alkylaminocarbonyl, C₁-C₅ alkylsulfonyl or phenylsulfonyl;    -   if A¹¹ is carbonyl, q is 0 and X²⁴ is H, then R¹⁶⁶ is not        2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl;    -   if n is 0 and q is 0, then X²⁴ cannot be hydrogen;    -   or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Materials that can serve as a Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention include 1,3- and 2,3-diarylcycloalkano and cycloalkenopyrazoles that are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,969 (incorporated byreference). Such 1,3- and 2,3-diarylpyrazole compounds have the generalformulas shown in the two formulas below:

-   -   wherein:    -   R¹⁶⁸ and R¹⁶⁹ are independently selected from the group        consisting of hydrogen, halogen, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy,        nitro, amino, hydroxyl, trifluoro, —S(C₁-C₆)alkyl,        —SO(C₁-C₆)alkyl and —SO₂ (C₁-C₆)alkyl; and    -   the fused moiety M is a group selected from the group consisting        of an optionally substituted cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl group        having the formulae:

-   -   wherein:    -   R¹⁷⁰ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen,        hydroxyl and carbonyl;    -   or R¹⁷⁰ and R¹⁷¹ taken together form a moiety selected from the        group consisting of —OCOCH₂—, —ONH(CH₃)COCH₂—, —OCOCH═ and —O—;    -   R¹⁷¹ and R¹⁷² are independently selected from the group        consisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, carbonyl, amino,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy, ═NOH, —NR¹⁷⁴R¹⁷⁵, OCH₃, —OCH₂CH₃,        —OSO₂NHCO₂CH₃, ═CHCO₂CH₂CH₃, —CH₂CO₂H, —CH₂CO₂CH₃,        —CH₂CO₂CH₂CH₃, —CH₂CON(CH₃)₂, —CH₂CO₂NHCH₃, —CHCHCO₂CH₂CH₃,        —OCON(CH₃)OH, —C(COCH₃)₂, di(C₁-C₆)alkyl and di(C₁-C₆)alkoxy;    -   R¹⁷³ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen,        hydroxyl, carbonyl, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkoxy and        optionally substituted carboxyphenyl, wherein substituents on        the carboxyphenyl group are selected from the group consisting        of halogen, hydroxyl, amino, (C₁-C₆)alkyl and (C₁-C₆)alkoxy;    -   or R¹⁷² and R¹⁷³ taken together form a moiety selected from the        group consisting of —O— and

-   -   R¹⁷⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, OH,        —OCOCH₃, —COCH₃ and (C₁-C₆)alkyl; and    -   R¹⁷⁵ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, OH,        —OCOCH₃, —COCH₃, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, —CONH₂ and —SO₂CH₃;    -   with the proviso that    -   if M is a cyclohexyl group, then R¹⁷⁰ through R¹⁷³ may not all        be hydrogen; and    -   pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters and pro-drug forms        thereof.

Esters derived from indolealkanols and novel amides derived fromindolealkylamides that are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,890(incorporated by reference) can serve as Cox-2 selective inhibitors ofthe present invention. Such compounds have the general formula shownbelow:

-   -   wherein:    -   R¹⁷⁶ is C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ branched alkyl, C₄-C₈ cycloalkyl,        C₁-C₆ hydroxyalkyl, branched C₁-C₆ hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyl        substituted C₄-C₈ aryl, primary, secondary or tertiary C₁-C₆        alkylamino, primary, secondary or tertiary branched C₁-C₆        alkylamino, primary, secondary or tertiary C₄-C₈ arylamino,        C₁-C₆ alkylcarboxylic acid, branched C₁-C₆ alkylcarboxylic acid,        C₁-C₆alkylester, branched C₁-C₆ alkylester, C₄-C₈ aryl, C₄-C₈        arylcarboxylic acid, C₄-C₈ arylester, C₄-C₈ aryl substituted        C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₄-C₈ heterocyclic alkyl or aryl with O, N or S in        the ring, alkyl-substituted or aryl-substituted        C₄-C₈heterocyclic alkyl or aryl with O, N or S in the ring, or        halo-substituted versions thereof, where halo is chloro, bromo,        fluoro or iodo;    -   R¹⁷⁷ is C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ branched alkyl, C₄-C₈ cycloalkyl,        C₄-C₈ aryl, C₄-C₈aryl-substituted C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy,        C₁-C₆ branched alkoxy, C₄-C₈aryloxy, or halo-substituted        versions thereof or R¹⁷⁷ is halo where halo is chloro, fluoro,        bromo, or iodo;    -   R¹⁷⁸ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl or C₁-C₆ branched alkyl;    -   R¹⁷⁹ is C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₄-C₈ aroyl, C₄-C₈ aryl, C₄-C₈ heterocyclic        alkyl or aryl with O, N or S in the ring, C₄-C₈ aryl-substituted        C₁-C₆ alkyl, alkyl-substituted or aryl-substituted C₄-C₈        heterocyclic alkyl or aryl with O, N or S in the ring,        alkyl-substituted C₄-C₈ aroyl, or alkyl-substituted C₄-C₈ aryl,        or halo-substituted versions thereof, wherein halo is chloro,        bromo, or iodo;    -   n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and    -   X²⁵ is O, NH, or N—R¹⁸⁰, where R¹⁸⁰ is C₁-C₆ or C₁-C₆ branched        alkyl.

Materials that can serve as a Cox-2 selective inhibitor of the presentinvention include pyridazinone compounds that are described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,307,047 (incorporated by reference). Such pyridazinone compoundshave the formula shown below:

-   -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, or prodrug        thereof, wherein:    -   X²⁶ is selected from the group consisting of O, S, —NR⁸⁵,        —NOR^(a), and —NNR^(b)R^(c);    -   R¹⁸⁵ is selected from the group consisting of alkenyl, alkyl,        aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, cycloalkyl,        cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclic, and heterocyclic alkyl;    -   R^(a), R^(b), and R^(c) are independently selected from the        group consisting of alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, and        cycloalkylalkyl;    -   R¹¹⁸ is selected from the group consisting of alkenyl, alkoxy,        alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyiminoalkoxy, alkyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl,        alkylsulfonylalkyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkenyl, arylalkoxy,        arylalkyl, arylalkynyl, arylhaloalkyl, arylhydroxyalkyl,        aryloxy, aryloxyhaloalkyl, aryloxyhydroxyalkyl,        arylcarbonylalkyl, carboxyalkyl, cyanoalkyl, cycloalkenyl,        cycloalkenylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,        cycloalkylidenealkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkoxyhydroxyalkyl,        haloalkyl, haloalkynyl, heterocyclic, heterocyclic alkoxy,        heterocyclic alkyl, heterocyclic oxy, hydroxyalkyl,        hydroxyiminoalkoxy, —(CH₂)_(n)C(O)R¹⁸⁶, —(CH₂)_(n)CH(OH)R¹⁸⁶,        —(CH₂)_(n)C(NOR^(d))R¹⁸⁶, —(CH₂)_(n)CH(NOR^(d))R⁸⁶,        —(CH₂)_(n)CH(NR^(d)R^(e))R¹⁶, —R¹⁸⁷R¹⁸⁸, —(CH₂)_(n)C≡CR¹⁸⁸,        (CH₂)_(n)[CH(CX^(26′) ₃)]_(m)(CH₂)_(p)R¹⁸⁸, —(CH₂)_(n)(CX^(26′)        ₂)_(m)(CH₂)_(p)R¹⁸⁸, and        —(CH₂)_(n)(CHX^(26′))_(m)(CH₂)_(m)—R¹⁸⁸;    -   R¹⁸⁶ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkenyl,        alkyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl,        haloalkenyl, haloalkyl, haloalkynyl, heterocyclic, and        heterocyclic alkyl;    -   R¹⁸⁷ is selected from the group consisting of alkenylene,        alkylene, halo-substituted alkenylene, and halo-substituted        alkylene;    -   R¹⁸⁸ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkenyl,        alkyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl,        haloalkyl, heterocyclic, and heterocyclic alkyl;    -   R^(d) and R^(e) are independently selected from the group        consisting of hydrogen, alkenyl, alkyl, alkynyl, aryl,        arylalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, heterocyclic,        and heterocyclic alkyl;    -   X²⁶ is halogen;    -   m is an integer from 0-5;    -   n is an integer from 0-10;    -   p is an integer from 0-10;    -   R¹⁸², R¹⁸³, and R¹⁸⁴ are independently selected from the group        consisting of hydrogen, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyiminoalkoxy,        alkoxyiminoalkyl, alkyl, alkynyl, alkylcarbonylalkoxy,        alkylcarbonylamino, alkylcarbonylaminoalkyl, aminoalkoxy,        aminoalkylcarbonyloxyalkoxy aminocarbonylalkyl, aryl,        arylalkenyl, arylalkyl, arylalkynyl,        carboxyalkylcarbonyloxyalkoxy, cyano, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl,        cycloalkylidenealkyl, haloalkenyloxy, haloalkoxy, haloalkyl,        halogen, heterocyclic, hydroxyalkoxy, hydroxyiminoalkoxy,        hydroxyiminoalkyl, mercaptoalkoxy, nitro, phosphonatoalkoxy, Y⁸,        and Z¹⁴; provided that one of R¹⁸², R¹⁸³, or R¹⁸⁴ must be Z¹⁴,        and further provided that only one of R¹⁸², R¹⁸³, or R¹⁸⁴ is        Z¹⁴;    -   Z¹⁴ is selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   X²⁷ is selected from the group consisting of S(O)₂, S(O)(NR¹⁹¹),        S(O), Se(O)₂, P(O)(OR¹⁹²), and P(O)(NR¹⁹³R¹⁹⁴);    -   X²⁸ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkenyl,        alkyl, alkynyl and halogen;    -   R¹⁹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of alkenyl, alkoxy,        alkyl, alkylamino, alkylcarbonylamino, alkynyl, amino,        cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, dialkylamino, —NHNH₂, and        —NCHN(R¹⁹¹)R¹⁹²;    -   R¹⁹¹, R¹⁹², R¹⁹³, and R¹⁹⁴ are independently selected from the        group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, and cycloalkyl, or R¹⁹³ and        R¹⁹⁴ can be taken together, with the nitrogen to which they are        attached, to form a 3-6 membered ring containing 1 or 2        heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, S, and        NR¹⁸⁸;    -   Y⁸ is selected from the group consisting of —OR¹⁹⁵, —SR¹⁹⁵,        —C(R¹⁹⁷)(R¹⁹⁸)R¹⁹⁵, C(O)R¹⁹⁵, —C(O)OR¹⁹⁵, —N(R¹⁹⁷)C(O)R¹⁹⁵,        —NC(R¹⁹⁷)R¹⁹⁵, and —N(R¹⁹⁷)R¹⁹⁵;    -   R¹⁹⁵ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkenyl,        alkoxyalkyl, alkyl, alkylthioalkyl, alkynyl, cycloalkenyl,        cycloalkenylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl,        heterocyclic, heterocyclic alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and NR¹⁹⁹R²⁰⁰;        and    -   R⁹⁷, R¹⁹⁸, R¹⁹⁹, and R²⁰⁰ are independently selected from the        group consisting of hydrogen, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkyl,        cycloalkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heterocyclic, and        heterocyclic alkyl.

Benzosulphonamide derivatives that are described in U.S. Pat. No.6,004,948 (incorporated by reference) are useful as Cox-2 selectiveinhibitors of the present invention. Such benzosulphonamide derivativeshave the formula shown below:

wherein:

-   -   A¹² denotes oxygen, sulphur or NH;    -   R²⁰¹ denotes a cycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl group optionally        mono- or polysubstituted by halogen, alkyl, CF₃ or alkoxy;    -   D⁵ denotes a group of one of the two formula:

-   -   R²⁰² and R²⁰³ independently of each other denote hydrogen, an        optionally polyfluorinated alkyl radical, an aralkyl, aryl or        heteroaryl radical or a radical (CH₂)_(n)—X²⁹, or    -   R²⁰² and R²⁰³ together with the N-atom denote a three- to        seven-membered, saturated, partially or totally unsaturated        heterocycle with one or more heteroatoms N, O, or S, which may        optionally be substituted by oxo, an alkyl, alkylaryl or aryl        group or a group (CH₂)_(n)—X²⁹, R^(202′) denotes hydrogen, an        optionally polyfluorinated alkyl group, an aralkyl, aryl or        heteroaryl group or a group (CH₂)_(n)—X²⁹,    -   wherein:    -   X²⁹ denotes halogen, NO₂, —OR²⁰⁴, —COR²⁰⁴, —CO₂R²⁰⁴, —OC₀₂R²⁰⁴,        —CN, —CONR²⁰⁴OR²⁰⁵, —CONR²⁰⁴R²⁰⁵, —SR²⁰⁴, —S(O)R²⁰⁴, —S(O)₂R²⁰⁴,        —NR²⁰⁴R²⁰⁵. NHC(O)R²⁰⁴, —NHS(O)₂R²⁰⁴;    -   Z¹⁵ denotes —CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH═CH—,        —CH═CH—CH₂—, —CH₂—CO—, —CO—CH₂—, —NHCO—, —CONH—, —NHCH₂—,        —CH₂NH—, —N═CH—, —NHCH—, —CH₂—CH₂—NH—, —CH═CH—, >N—R²⁰³, >C═O,        >S(O)_(m);    -   R²⁰⁴ and R²⁰⁵ independently of each other denote hydrogen,        alkyl, aralkyl or aryl;    -   n is an integer from 0 to 6;    -   R²⁰⁶ is a straight-chained or branched C₁-C₄ alkyl group which        may optionally be mono- or polysubstituted by halogen or alkoxy,        or R²⁰⁶ denotes CF₃; and    -   m denotes an integer from 0 to 2;    -   with the proviso that A¹² does not represent 0 if R²⁰⁶ denotes        CF₃;    -   and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Materials that can serve as Cox-2 selective inhibitors of the presentinvention include methanesulfonyl-biphenyl derivatives that aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,321 (incorporated by reference). Suchmethanesulfonyl-biphenyl derivatives have the formula shown below:

-   -   wherein:    -   R²⁰⁷ and R²⁰⁸ are respectively a hydrogen;    -   C₁-C₄-alkyl substituted or not substituted by halogens;    -   C₃-C₇-cycloalkyl;    -   C₁-C₅-alkyl containing 1-3 ether bonds and/or an aryl        substitute;    -   substituted or not substituted phenyl;    -   or substituted or not substituted five or six ring-cycled        heteroaryl containing more than one hetero atoms selected from a        group consisting of nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen (wherein phenyl        or heteroaryl can be one- or multi-substituted by a substituent        selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, and        isopropyl).

Cox-2 selective inhibitors such as 1H-indole derivatives described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,599,929 (incorporated by reference) are useful in thepresent invention. Such 1H-indole derivatives have the formula shownbelow:

wherein:

-   -   X³⁰ is —NHSO₂R²⁰⁹ wherein R²⁰⁹ represents hydrogen or        C₁-C₃-alkyl;    -   Y⁹ is hydrogen, halogen, C₁-C₃-alkyl substituted or not        substituted by halogen, NO₂, NH₂, OH, OMe, CO₂H, or CN; and    -   Q⁷ is C═O, C═S, or CH₂.

Compounds that are useful as Cox-2 selective inhibitors of the presentinvention include prodrugs of Cox-2 inhibitors that are described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,436,967 (incorporated by reference) and U.S. Pat. No.6,613,790 (incorporated by reference). Such prodrugs of Cox-2 inhibitorshave the formula shown below:

-   -   wherein:    -   A¹³ is a ring substituent selected from partially unsaturated        heterocyclic, heteroaryl, cycloalkenyl and aryl, wherein A¹³ is        unsubstituted or substituted with one or more radicals selected        from alkylcarbonyl, formyl, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, oxo, cyano,        nitro, carboxyl, alkoxy, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl,        carboxyalkyl, cyanoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkylsulfonyloxy,        alkoxyalkyloxyalkyl, carboxyalkoxyalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl,        alkenyl, alkynyl, heterocycloxy, alkylthio, cycloalkyl, aryl,        heterocyclyl, cycloalkenyl, aralkyl, heterocyclylalkyl,        alkylthioalkyl, arylcarbonyl, aralkylcarbonyl, aralkenyl,        alkoxyalkyl, arylthioalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, aralkylthioalkyl,        araalkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, aminocarbonylalkyl,        alkylaminocarbonyl, N-arylaminocarbonyl,        N-alkyl-N-arylaminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonylalkyl,        alkylamino, -arylamino, N-aralkylamino, N-alkyl-N-aralkylamino,        N-alkyl-N-arylamino, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl,        N-arylaminoalkyl, N-aralkylaminoalkyl, N-alkyl-N-arylaminoalkyl,        aryloxy, aralkoxy, arylthio, aralkylthio, alkylsulfinyl,        alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, alkylaminosulfonyl,        N-arylaminosulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, and        N-alkyl-N-arylaminosulfonyl;    -   R²¹⁰ is selected from heterocyclyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl,        and aryl, wherein R²¹⁰ is unsubstituted or substituted with one        or more radicals selected from alkyl, haloalkyl, cyano,        carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkoxy,        amino, alkylamino, arylamino, nitro, alkoxyalkyl, alkylsulfinyl,        halo, alkoxy, and alkylthio;    -   R²¹¹ is selected from hydrido and alkoxycarbonylalkyl;    -   R²¹² is selected from alkyl, carboxyalkyl, acyl, alkoxycarbonyl,        heteroarylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylalkylcarbonyl,        alkoxycarbonylcarbonyl, amino acid residue, and        alkylcarbonylaminoalkylcarbonyl; provided A¹³ is not        tetrazolium, or pyridinium; and further provided A¹³ is not        indanone when R²¹² is alkyl or carboxyalkyl; further provided        A¹³ is not thienyl, when R²¹⁰ is 4-fluorophenyl, when R²¹¹ is        hydrido, and when R²¹² is methyl or acyl; and    -   R²¹³ is hydrido;

or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Specific non-limiting examples of substituted sulfonamide prodrugs ofCox-2 inhibitors disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,967 (incorporated byreference) that are useful in the present invention include:

-   N-[[4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]propanamide;-   N-[[4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]butanamide;-   N-[[4-[1,5-dimethyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   N-[[4-(2-(3-pyridinyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   N-[[4-[2-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   N-[[4-[2-(2-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   N-[[4-[2-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]butanamide;-   N-[[4-[2-(2-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]butanamide;-   N-[[4-[2-(3-chloro-5-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   N-[[4-[3-(3-fluorophenyl)-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   2-methyl-N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]propanamide;-   N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]propanamide;-   N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]benzamide;-   2,2-dimethyl-N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]propanamide;-   N-[[4-5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]butanamide;-   N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]pentanamide;-   N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]hexanamide;-   3-methoxy-N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]propanamide;-   2-ethoxy-N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   N-[[4-[5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   N-[[4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H    pyrazol-1-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]propanamide;-   N-[[4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]butanamide;-   N-[[4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   N-[[4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-6-fluoro-1,5-dihydro-7-methoxy-[2]benzothiopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   N-[[4-[6-fluoro-1,5-dihydro-7-methoxy-3-(trifluoromethyl)-[2]benzothiopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazol-1-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   N-[[4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   N-[[4-(2-methyl-4-phenyloxazol-5-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   methyl[[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]amino]oxoacetate;-   2-methoxy-N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   N-[[4-[5-(difluoromethyl)-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]propanamide;-   N-[[4-[5-(difluoromethyl)-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]butanamide;-   N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]formamide;-   1,1-dimethylethyl-N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]carbamate;-   N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]glycine;-   2-amino-N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   2-(acetylamino)-N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   methyl    4-[[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]amino]-4-oxobutanoate;-   methyl    N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]carbamate;-   N-acetyl-N-[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]glycine,    ethyl ester;-   N-[[4-(5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   methyl    3-[[[4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]amino]-3-oxopropanoate;-   4-[5-(3-bromo-5-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)oxazol-4-yl]-N-methylbenezenesulfonamide;-   N-(11,1-dimethylethyl)-4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)benzenesulfonamide;-   4-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-N-methylbenzenesulfonamide;-   N-methyl-4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)benezenesulfonamide;-   N-[[4-[5-(hydroxymethyl)-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide:-   N-[[4-[5-(acetoxymethyl)-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   N-[[4-[2-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]acetamide;-   4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrrol-1-yl]-N-methylbenzenesulfonamide;-   N-[[4-(3,4-dimethyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]propanamide;-   N-[[4-[2-(2-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-trifluoromethylimidazol-1-yl]phenyl]sulfonyl]propanamide;-   4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-N-methylbenezenesulfonamide;    and-   N-[[4-(3-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-2-oxofuran-4-yl)phenyl]sulfonyl]propanamide.

Those prodrugs disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,790 (incorporated byreference) have the general formula shown in the above formula wherein:

-   -   A¹³ is a pyrazole group optionally substituted at a        substitutable position with one or more radicals independently        selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of        alkylcarbonyl, formyl, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, oxo, cyano,        intro, carboxyl, alkoxy, aminocarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl,        carboxyalkyl, cyanoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkylsulonyloxy,        alkoxyalkyloxyalkyl, carboxyalkoxyalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,        alkylthio, alkylthioalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl,        aminocarbonylalkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonylalkyl,        alkylamino, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, alkylsulfinyl,        alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, and alkylaminosulfonyl;    -   R²¹⁰ is a phenyl group optionally substituted at a substitutable        position with one or more radicals independently selected at        each occurrence from the group consisting of alkyl, haloalkyl,        cyano, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, hydroxyalkyl,        haloalkoxy, amino, alkylamino, nitro, alkoxyalkyl,        alkylsulfinyl, halo, alkoxy, and alkylthio;    -   R²¹¹ and R²¹² are independently selected from the group        consisting of hydroxyalkyl and hydrido but at least one of R²¹¹        and R²¹² is other than hydrido; and    -   R²¹³ is selected from the group consisting of hydrido and        fluoro.

Examples of prodrug compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,790(incorporated by reference) that are useful as Cox-2 inhibitors of thepresent invention include, but are not limited to,N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide,N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide,or pharmaceuticaly-acceptable salts thereof.

Cox-2 selective inhibitors such as sulfamoylheleroaryl pyrazolecompounds that are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,321 (incorporated byreference) may serve as Cox-2 inhibitors of the present invention. Suchsulfamoylheleroaryl pyrazole compounds have the formula shown below:

-   -   wherein:    -   R²¹⁴ is furyl, thiazolyl or oxazolyl;    -   R²¹⁵ is hydrogen, fluoro or ethyl; and    -   X³¹ and X³² are independently hydrogen or chloro.

Heteroaryl substituted amidinyl and imidazolyl compounds such as thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,563 (incorporated by reference) areuseful as Cox-2 selective inhibitors of the present invention. Suchheteroaryl substituted amidinyl and imidazolyl compounds have theformula shown below:

-   -   wherein:    -   Z¹⁶ is O or S,    -   R²¹⁶ is optionally substituted aryl,    -   R²¹⁷ is aryl optionally substituted with aminosulfonyl, and    -   R²¹⁸ and R²¹⁹ cooperate to form an optionally substituted        5-membered ring.

Materials that can serve as Cox-2 selective inhibitors of the presentinvention include substituted hydroxamic acid derivatives that aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,999 (incorporated by reference), U.S.Pat. No. 6,512,121 (incorporated by reference), and U.S. Pat. No.6,515,014 (incorporated by reference). These compounds also act asinhibitors of the lipoxygenase-5 enzyme. Such substituted hydroxamicacid derivatives have the general formulas shown below in one of thefollowing formulas:

Pyrazole substituted hydroxamic acid derivatives described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,432,999 have the formula shown above, wherein:

-   -   A¹⁴ is pyrazolyl optionally substituted with a substituent        selected from acyl, halo, hydroxyl, lower alkyl, lower        haloalkyl, oxo, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, lower alkoxy,        aminocarbonyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower carboxyalkyl, lower        cyanoalkyl, and lower hydroxyalkyl;    -   Y¹⁰ is selected from lower alkenylene and lower alkynylene;    -   R²²⁰ is a substituent selected from 5- and 6-membered        heterocyclo, lower cycloalkyl, lower cycloalkenyl and aryl        selected from phenyl, biphenyl and naphthyl, wherein R²²⁰ is        optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or        more substituents selected from lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl,        cyano, carboxyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, lower        hydroxyalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino,        phenylmino, nitro, lower alkoxyalkyl, lower alkylsulfinyl, halo,        lower alkoxy and lower alkylthio;    -   R²²¹ is selected from lower alkyl and amino; and    -   R²²² is selected from hydrido, lower alkyl, phenyl, 5- and        6-membered heterocyclo and lower cycloalkyl; or a        pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Pyrazole substituted hydroxamic acid derivatives described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,432,999 (incorporated by reference) may also have the formulashown in the above formula, wherein:

-   -   A¹⁵ is pyrazolyl optionally substituted with a substituent        selected from acyl, halo, hydroxyl, lower alkyl, lower        haloalkyl, oxo, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, lower alkoxy,        aminocarbonyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower carboxyalkyl, lower        cyanoalkyl, and lower hydroxyalkyl;    -   Y¹¹ is selected from lower alkylene, lower alkenylene and lower        alkynylene;    -   R²²³ is a substituent selected from 5- and 6-membered        heterocyclo, lower cycloalkyl, lower cycloalkenyl and aryl        selected from phenyl, biphenyl and naphthyl, wherein R²²³ is        optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or        more substituents selected from lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl,        cyano, carboxyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, lower        hydroxyalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino,        phenylmino, nitro, lower alkoxyalkyl, lower alkylsulfinyl, halo,        lower alkoxy and lower alkylthio;    -   R²²⁴ is selected from lower alkyl and amino; and    -   R²²⁵ is selected from hydrido, lower alkyl;

or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Heterocyclo substituted hydroxamic acid derivatives described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,512,121 (incorporated by reference) have the formula shown inthe above formula, wherein:

-   -   A¹⁴ is a ring substituent selected from oxazolyl, furyl,        pyrrolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, isochiazolyl, isoxazolyl,        cyclopentenyl, phenyl, and pyridyl; wherein A¹⁴ is optionally        substituted with a substituent selected from acyl, halo,        hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, oxo, cyano, nitro,        carboxyl, lower alkoxy, aminocarbonyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl,        lower carboxyalkyl, lower cyanoalkyl, and lower hydroxyalkyl;    -   Y¹⁰ is lower alkylene, lower alkenylene, and lower alkynylene;    -   R²²⁰ is a substituent selected from 5- and 6-membered        heterocyclo, lower cycloalkyl, lower cycloalkenyl and aryl        selected from phenyl, biphenyl and naphthyl, wherein R²²⁰ is        otionallv substituted at a substitutable position with one or        more substituents selected from lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl,        cyano, carboxyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, lower        hydroxyalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino,        phenylamino, nitro, lower alkoxyalkyl, lower alkylsulfinyl,        halo, lower alkoxy and lower alkylthio;    -   R²²¹ is selected from lower alkyl and amino; and    -   R²²² is selected from hydrido, lower alkyl, phenyl, 5- and        6-membered heterocyclo and lower cycloalkyl; or a        pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Heterocyclo substituted hydroxamic acid derivatives described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,512,121 (incorporated by reference) may also have the formulashown in the above formula, wherein:

-   -   A¹⁵ is a ring substituent selected from oxazolyl, furyl,        pyrrolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl,        cyclopentenyl, phenyl, and pyridyl; wherein A is optionally        substituted with a substituent selected from acyl, halo,        hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, oxo, cyano, nitro,        carboxyl, lower alkoxy, aminocarbonyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl,        lower carboxyalkyl, lower cyanoalkyl, and lower hydroxyalkyl;    -   Y¹¹ is selected from lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and lower        alkynyl;    -   R²²³ is a substituent selected from 5- and 6-membered        heterocyclo, lower cycloalkyl, lower cycloalkenyl and aryl        selected from phenyl, biphenyl and naphthyl, wherein R²²³ is        optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or        more substituents selected from lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl,        cyano, carboxyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, lower        hydroxyalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino,        phenylamino, nitto, lower alkoxyalkyl, lower alkylsulfinyl,        halo, lower alkoxy and lower alkylthio;    -   R²²⁴ is selected from lower alkyl and amino; and    -   R²²⁵ is selected from hydrido and alkyl; or a        pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Thiophene substituted hydroxamic acid derivatives described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,515,014 (incorporated by reference) have the formula shown in theabove formula, wherein:

-   -   A¹⁴ is thienyl optionally substituted with a substituent        selected from acyl, halo, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl,        oxo, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, lower alkoxy, aminocarbonyl, lower        alkoxycarbonyl, lower carboxyalkyl, lower cyanoalkyl, and lower        hydroxyalkyl;    -   Y¹⁰ is ethylene, isopropylene, propylene, butylene, lower        alkenylene, and lower alkynylene;    -   R²²⁰ is a substituent selected from 5- and 6-membered        heterocyclo, lower cycloalkyl, lower cycloalkenyl and aryl        selected from phenyl, biphenyl and naphthyl, wherein R²²⁰ is        optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or        more substituents selected from lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl,        cyano, carboxyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, lower        hydroxyalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino,        phenylamino, nitro, lower alkoxyalkyl, lower alkylsulfinyl,        halo, lower alkoxy and lower alkylthio;    -   R²²¹ is selected from lower alkyl and amino; and    -   R²²² is selected from hydrido, lower alkyl, phenyl, 5- and        6-membered heterocyclo and lower cycloalkyl; or a        pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Thiophene substituted hydroxamic acid derivatives described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,515,014 (incorporated by reference) may also have the formulashown in the above formula, wherein:

-   -   A¹⁵ is thienyl optionally substituted with a substituent        selected from acyl, halo, hydroxy, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl,        oxo, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, lower alkoxy, aminocarbonyl, lower        alkoxycarbonyl, lower carboxyalkyl, lower cyanoalkyl, and lower        hydroxyalkyl;    -   Y¹¹ is selected from lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and lower        alkynyl;    -   R²²³ is a substituent selected from 5- and 6-membered        heterocyclo, lower cycloalkyl, lower cycloalkenyl and aryl        selected from phenyl, biphenyl and naphthyl, wherein R²²³ is        optionally substituted at a substitutable position with one or        more substituents selected from lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl,        cyano, carboxyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, hydroxyl, lower        hydroxyalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, amino, lower alkylamino,        phenylamino, nitro, lower alkoxyalkyl, lower alkylsulfinyl,        halo, lower alkoxy and lower alkylthio;    -   R²²⁴ is selected from lower alkyl and amino; and    -   R²²⁵ is selected from hydrido and alkyl; or a        pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Compounds that are useful as Cox-2 selective inhibitors of the presentinvention include pyrazolopyridine compounds that are described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,498,166 (incorporated by reference). Such pyrazolopyridinecompounds have the formula shown below:

-   -   wherein:    -   R²²⁶ and R²²⁷ are independently selected from the group        consisting of H, halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, and C₁-C₆        alkoxy substituted by one or more fluorine atoms;    -   R²²⁸ is halogen, CN, CONR²³⁰R²³¹, CO₂H, CO₂C₁-C₆ alkyl or        NHSO₂R²³⁰;    -   R²²⁹ is C₁-C₆ alkyl or NH₂; and    -   R²²⁵ and R²²⁵ are independently selected from the group        consisting of H, C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl, phenyl substituted by one        or more atoms or groups selected from the group consisting of        halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, and C₁-C₆alkoxy substituted        by one or more fluorine atoms,    -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, ester, or salt        or solvate of such ester thereof.

Materials that are useful as Cox-2 selective inhibitors of the presentinvention include 4,5-diaryl-3(2H)-furanone derivatives that aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,492,416 (incorporated by reference). Such4,5-diaryl-3(2H)-furanone derivatives have the formula shown below:

-   -   wherein:    -   X³³ represents halo, hydrido, or alkyl;    -   Y¹² represents alkylsulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, alkylsulfinyl,        (N-acylamino)-sulfonyl, (N-alkylamino)sulfonyl, or alkylthio;    -   Z¹⁷ represents oxygen or sulfur atom; R²²³ and R²³⁴ are selected        independently from lower alkyl radicals; and R²³² represents a        substituted or non-substituted aromatic group of 5 to 10 atoms;    -   or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof.

Cox-2 selective inhibitors that can be used in the present inventioninclude 2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one derivatives and2-phenylcarbomyl-phenylselenyl derivatives that are described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,492,416 (incorporated by reference). Such2-phenyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one derivatives and2-phenylcarbomyl-phenylselenyl derivatives have the formulas shown belowin one of the following formulas:

wherein:

-   -   R²³⁵ is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1-3 carbon        atoms;    -   R²³⁶ is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an organothiol group        that is bound to the selenium atom by its sulfur atom, or R²³⁵        and R²³⁶ are joined to each other by a single bond;    -   R²³⁷ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having        1-3 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1-3 carbon atoms, a        trifluoromethyl group, or a nitro group;    -   R²³⁸ and R²³⁹ are identical to or different from each other, and        each is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkoxyl group having        1-4 carbon atoms, a trifluoromethyl group, or R²³⁸ and R²³⁹ are        joined to each other to form a methylenedioxy group,    -   a salt thereof, or a hydrate thereof.

Pyrones such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,465,509 (incorporatedby reference) are also useful as Cox-2 inhibitors of the presentinvention. These pyrone compounds have the general formula shown below:

wherein:

-   -   X³⁴ is selected from the group consisting of:    -   (a) a bond,    -   (b) —(CH₂)_(m)—, wherein m 1 or 2,    -   (c) —C(O)—,    -   (d) —O—,    -   (e) —S—, and    -   (f) —N(R²⁴⁴)—;    -   R²⁴⁰ is selected from the group consisting of:    -   (a) C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, optionally substituted with 1-3 substituents        independently selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy,        halo, C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy, C₁-C₁₀alkylthio, and CN,    -   (b) phenyl or naphthyl, and    -   (c) heteroaryl, which is comprised of a monocyclic aromatic ring        of 5 atoms having one hetero atom which is S, O or N, and        optionally 1, 2, or 3 additional N atoms; or    -   a monocyclic ring of 6 atoms having one hetero atom which is N,        and optionally 1, 2, or 3 additional N atoms, wherein groups (b)        and (c) above are each optionally substituted with 1-3        substituents independently selected from the group consisting        of: halo, C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy, C₁-C₁₀ alkylthio, CN, C₁-C₁₀alkyl,        optionally substituted to its maximum with halo, and N₃;    -   R²⁴¹ is selected from the group consisting of        -   (a) C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted to its maximum with            halo,        -   (b) NH₂, and        -   (c) NHC(O)C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, optionally substituted to its            maximum with halo;    -   R²⁴² and R²⁴³ are each independently selected from the group        consisting of: hydrogen, halo, and C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally        substituted to its maximum with halo; and    -   R²⁴⁴ is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen and        C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted to its maximum with halo.

Examples of pyrone compounds that are useful as Cox-2 selectiveinhibitors of the present invention include, but are not limited to:

-   4-(4-Methylsulfonyl)phenyl-3-phenyl-pyran-2-one,-   3-(4-Fluorophenyl)-6-methyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-pyran-2-one,-   3-(3-Fluorophenyl)-6-methyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-pyran-2-one,-   6-Methyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-3-phenyl-pyran-2-one,-   6-Difluoromethyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-3-phenyl-pyran-2-one,-   6-Fluoromethyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-3-phenyl-pyran-2-one,-   6-Methyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-3-phenylthio-pyran-2-one,-   6-Methyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-3-phenoxy-pyran-2-one,-   6-Methyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-3-pyridin-3-yl-pyran-2-one,-   3-Isopropylthio-6-methyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-pyran-2-one,-   4-(4-Methylsulfonyl)phenyl)-3-phenylthio-6-trifluoromethyl-pyran-2-one,-   3-Isopropylthio-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-6-trifluoromethyl-pyran-2-one,-   4-(4-Methylsulfonyl)phenyl-3-phenyl-6-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)-pyran-2-one,    and-   3-(3-Hydroxy-3-methylbutyl)-6-methyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-pyran-2-one.

Organically synthesized or purified from plant sources, free-B-ringflavanoids such as those described in U.S. Published Application No.2003/0165588 (incorporated by reference), are useful as Cox-2 selectiveinhibitors of the present invention. Such free-B-ring flavanoids havethe general structure:

-   -   wherein:    -   R²⁴⁶, R²⁴⁷, R²⁴⁸, R²⁴⁹, and R²⁵⁰ are independently selected from        the group consisting of: —H, —OH, —SH, —OR, —SR, —NH₂, —NHR²⁴⁵,        —N(R²⁴⁵)₂, —N(R²⁴⁵)₃+X³⁵, a carbon, oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur,        glycoside of a single or a combination of multiple sugars        including, aldopentoses, methyl-aldopentose, aldohexoses,        ketohexose and their chemical derivatives thereof; wherein R²⁴⁵        is an alkyl group having between 1-10 carbon atoms; and X³⁵ is        selected from the group of pharmaceutically acceptable counter        anions including, hydroxyl, chloride, iodide, sulfate,        phosphate, acetate, fluoride and carbonate.

Heterocyclo-alkylsulfonyl pyrazoles such as those described in EuropeanPatent Application No. EP 1312367 are useful as Cox-2 selectiveinhibitors of the present invention. Such heterocyclo-alkylsulfonylpyrazoles have the general formula shown below:

-   -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: the ring        of the formula (R²⁵⁵)-A-(SO_(m)R²⁵⁴) is selected from the group        consisting of:

-   -   m is 0, 1 or 2;    -   X³⁵ is >CR²⁵⁵ or >N; R²⁵¹ is a radical selected from the group        consisting of H, NO₂, CN, (C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-SO₂—,        (C₆-C₁₀)aryl-SO₂—, H—(C═O)—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-)—(C═O)—, (C₁-C₉)heteroaryl-(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₉)heterocyclyl-(C═O)—, H₂N—(C═O)—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-NH—(C═O)—,        [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]₂-N—(C═O)—, [(C₆-C₁₀)aryl]₂-NH—(C═O)—,        [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]-[((C₆-C₁₀)aryl-N]—(C═O)—, HO—NH—(C═O)—, and        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-O—NH—(C═O)—;    -   R²⁵² is a radical selected from the group consisting of H, —NO₂,        —CN, (C₂-C₆)alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)alkynyl, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl,        (C₆-C₁₀)aryl, (C₁-C₉)heteroaryl, (C₁-C₉)heterocyclyl,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-O—, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-O—, (C₆-C₁₀)aryl-O—,        (C₁-C₉)heteroaryl-O—, (C₆-C₉)heterocyclyl-O—, H—(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-(C═O)—, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C═O)—,        (C₆-C₁₀)aryl-(C═O)—, (C₁-C₉)heteroaryl-(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₉)heterocyclyl-(C═O)—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-O—(C═O)—,        (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-O—(C═O)—, (C₆-C₁₀)aryl-O—(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₉)heteroaryl-O—(C═O)—, (C₁-C₉)heterocyclyl-O—(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-(C═O)—O—, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C═O)—O—,        (C₆-C₁₀)aryl-(C═O)—O—, (C₁-C₉)heteroaryl-(C═O)—O—,        (C₁-C₉)heterocyclyl-(C═O)—O—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-(C═O)—NH—,        (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-(C═O)—NH—, (C₆-C₁₀aryl-(C═O)—NH—.        (C₁-C₉)heteroaryl-(C═O)—NH—, (C₁-C₉)heterocyclyl-(C═O)—NH—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-O—(C═O)—NH—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-NH, [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]₂—N—,        (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-NH—. [(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl]₂-N—,        [(C₆-C₁₀)aryl]-NH—, [(C₆-C₁₀)aryl]₂-N—,        [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]-[((C₆-C₁₀)aryl)-N]—, [(C₁-C₉)heteroaryl]-NH—,        [(C₁-C₉)heteroaryl]₂-N—, [(C₁-C₉)heterocycly]-NH—,        [(C₁-C₉)heterocyclyl]₂-N—, H₂N—(C═O)—, HO—NH—(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-O—NH—(C═O)—, [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]-NH—(C═O)—,        [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]₂-N—(C═O)—, [(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl]-NH—(C═O)—,        [(C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl]₂-N—(C═O)—, [(C₆-C₁₀)aryl]-NH—(C═O)—,        [(C₆-C₁₀aryl]₂-N—(C═O)—,        [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]-[((C₆-C₁₀)aryl)-N]—(C═O)—,        [(C₁-C₉)heteroaryl]-NH—(C═O)—, [(C₁-C₉)heteroaryl]₂-N—(O═O)—,        [(C₁-C₉)heterocyclyl]-NH—(C═O)—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-S— and        (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally substituted by one —OH substituent or by        one to four fluoro substituents;    -   R²⁵³ is a saturated (3- to 4-membered)-heterocyclyl ring        radical; or a saturated, partially saturated or aromatic (7- to        9-membered)-heterocyclyl ring radical;    -   wherein said saturated (3- to 4-membered)-heterocyclyl ring        radical or said saturated, partially saturated or aromatic (7-        to 9-membered)-heterocyclyl ring radical; may optionally contain        one to four ring heteroatoms independently selected from the        groups consisting of —N═, —NH—, —O—, and —S—;    -   wherein said saturated (3- to 4-membered)-heterocyclyl ring        radical; or said saturated, partially saturated or aromatic (7-        to 9-membered)-heterocyclyl ring radical; may optionally be        substituted on any ring carbon atom by one to three substituents        per ring independently selected from the group consisting of        halo, —OH, —CN, —NO₂, (C₂-C₆)alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)alkynyl,        (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, (C₆-C₁₀)aryl, (C₂-C₉)heterocyclyl,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-O—, H—(C═O)—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-(C═O)—, HO—(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-O—(C═O)—, —NH₂, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-NH—,        [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]₂-N—, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-NH—, (C₆-C₁₀)aryl-NH—,        [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]-[((C₆-C₁₀)aryl)-N]—, (C₁-C₉)heteroaryl-NH—,        H₂N—(C═O)—[(C₁-C₆)alkyl]-NH—(C═O)—, [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]₂-N—(C═O)—,        [(C₆-C₁₀)aryl]-NH—(C═O)—,        [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]-[((C₆-C₁₀)aryl)-N]—(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-O—NH—(C═O)—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-(C═O)—HN—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-(C═O)—[(C₁-C₆)alkyl-N]—, —SH, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-S—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-(S═O)—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-SO₂— and (C₁-C₆)alkyl        optionally substituted with one to fourfluoro moieties;    -   wherein said saturated (3- to 4-membered)-heterocyclyl ring        radical; or said saturated, partially saturated or aromatic (7-        to 9-membered)-heterocyclyl ring radical; may also optionally be        substituted on any ring nitrogen atom by one to three        substituents per ring independently selected from the group        consisting of (C₃-C₇)cyoloalkyl, (C₆-C₁₀)aryl,        (C₂-C₉)heterocyclyl, H—(C═O)—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-O—(C═O)—, H₂N—(C═O)—, [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]-NH—(C═O)—,        [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]₂-N—(C═O)—, [(C₆-C₁₀)aryl]-NH—(C═O)—,        [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]-[((C₆-C₁₀)aryl)-N]—(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-O—NH—(C═O)—, and (C₁-C₆)alkyl optionally        substituted with one to four fluoro moieties;    -   R²⁵⁴ is an (C₁-C₆)alkyl radical optionally substituted by one to        four fluoro substituents; and    -   R²⁵⁵ is a radical selected from the group consisting of H, halo,        —OH, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-O—, (C₂-C₆)alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)alkynyl,        (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl, —CN, H—(C═O)—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-(C═O)—O—, HO—(C═O)—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-O—(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-NH—. [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]₂—N—, (C₃-C₇)cycloalkyl-NH—,        (C₆-C₁₀)aryl-NH—, [(C₁-C₆)alkyl]-[((C₆-C₁₀)aryl)-N]—,        (C₁-C₉)heteroaryl-NH—, H₂N—(C═O)—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-NH—(C═O)—.        [(C₁-C₅)alkyl]₂-N—(C═O)—, (C₆-C₁₀)aryl-(C═O)—,        [(C₁-C₅)alkyl]-[((C₆-C₁₀)aryl)-N]—(C═O)—,        (C₁-C₆)alkyl-O—NH—(C═O)—, (C₁-C₆)alkyl-S—, and (C₁-C₆)alkyl        optionally substituted by one to four fluoro substituents.

2-phenylpyran-4-one derivatives such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.6,518,303 (incorporated by reference) are also useful as Cox-2 selectiveinhibitors of the present invention. Such 2-phenylpyran-4-onederivatives have the general formula shown below:

wherein:

-   -   R²⁵⁶ represents an alkyl or —NR²⁵⁹R²⁶⁰ group, wherein R²⁵⁹ and        R²⁶⁰ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl        group;    -   R²⁵⁷ represents an alkyl, C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl, naphthyl,        tetrahydronaphthyl or indanyl group, or a phenyl group which may        be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more halogen atoms or        alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, methylthio, amino,        mono- or dialkylamino, hydroxyalkyl or hydroxycarbonyl groups;    -   R²⁵⁸ represents a methyl, hydroxymethyl, alkoxymethyl,        C₃-C₇cycloalkoxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl, hydroxycarbonyl,        nitrile, trifluoromethyl or difluoromethyl group or a CH₂—R²⁶¹        group wherein R²⁶¹ represents an alkyl group; and    -   X³⁶ represents a single bond, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a        methylene group;    -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Examples of 2-phenylpyran-4-one derivatives useful in the presentinvention include, but are not limited to:

-   3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   3-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   3-(4-bromophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   3-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   3-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methyl-3-phenoxypyran-4-one,-   3-(4-fluorophenoxy)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   3-(2-fluorophenoxy)-2-(methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-(methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   3-(2-chlorophenoxy)-2-(methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   3-(4-bromophenoxy)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methyl-3-(4-methylphenoxy)pyran-4-one,-   3-(2,4-difluorophenoxy)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   3-(2,5-difluorophenoxy)-2-(methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methylpyran-4-one,-   3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-6-methoxymethylpyran-4-one,-   3-(4-chlorophenyl)-6-difluoromethyl-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)pyran-4-one,-   or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Cox-2 selective inhibitors that are useful in the subject method andcompositions can include the compounds that are described in U.S. Pat.No. 6,472,416 (sulfonylphenylpyrazoles); U.S. Pat. No. 6,451,794(2,3-diaryl-pyrazolo[1,5-b]pyridazines); U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,169,188,6,020,343, and 5,981,576 ((methylsulfonyl)phenyl furanones); U.S. Pat.No. 6,222,048 (diaryl-2-(5H)-furanones); U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,319(3,4-diaryl-2-hydroxy-2,5-dihydrofurans); U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,236(carbocyclic sulfonamides); U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,002,014 and 5,945,539(oxazole derivatives); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,359,182 and 6,538,116(C-nitroso compounds) (all of which are incorporated by reference).

Examples of specific compounds that are useful as Cox-2 selectiveinhibitors include, without limitation:

-   a1)    8-acetyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-imidazo(1,2-a)pyridine;-   a2)    5,5-dimethyl-4-(4-methylsulfonyl)phenyl-3-phenyl-2-(5H)-furanone;-   a3)    5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole;-   a4)    4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole;-   a5)    4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide-   a6) 4-(3,5-bis(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide;-   a7)    4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide;-   a8) 4-(3,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide;-   a9)    4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide;-   a10)    4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide;-   b1)    4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(5-chloro-2-thienyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide;-   b2) 4-(4-chloro-3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide b3)    4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   b4)    4-[5-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   b5)    4-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   b6)    4-[5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   b7)    4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   b8)    4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   b9)    4-[4-chloro-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   b10)    4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   c1)    4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   c2)    4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   c3)    4-[3-cyano-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   c4)    4-[3-(difluoromethyl)-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   c5)    4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   c6) 4-[4-chloro-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   c7)    4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   c8)    4-[5-(4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   c9)    5-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene;-   c10)    4-[6-(4-fluorophenyl)spiro[2.4]hept-5-en-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   d1)    6-(4-fluorophenyl)-7-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[3.4]oct-6-ene;-   d2)    5-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene;-   d3)    4-[6-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)spiro[2.4]hept-5-en-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   d4)    5-(3,5-dichloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene;-   d5)    5-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hept-5-ene;-   d6)    4-[6-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)spiro[2.4]hept-5-en-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   d7)    2-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)thiazole;-   d8)    2-(2-chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)thiazole;-   d9) 5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-methylthiazole;-   d10)    4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylthiazole;-   e1)    4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(2-thienyl)thiazole;-   e2)    4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-benzylaminothiazole;-   e3)    4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(1-propylamino)thiazole;-   e4)    2-[(3,5-dichlorophenoxy)methyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]thiazole;-   e5)    5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-trifluoromethylthiazole;-   e6)    1-methylsulfonyl-4-[1,1-dimethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-3-yl]benzene;-   e7)    4-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylcyclopenta-2,4-dien-3-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   e8)    5-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-diene;-   e9)    4-[6-(4-fluorophenyl)spiro[2.4]hepta-4,6-dien-5-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   e10)    6-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methoxy-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-pyridine-3-carbonitrile;-   f1)    2-bromo-6-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-pyridine-3-carbonitrile;-   f2)    6-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyl-pyridine-3-carbonitrile;-   f3)    4-[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   f4)    4-[2-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   f5)    4-[2-(2-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   f6)    3-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine;-   f7)    2-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine;-   f8)    2-methyl-4-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine;-   f9)    2-methyl-6-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine;-   f10)    4-[2-(6-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   g1)    2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole;-   g2)    4-[2-(4-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   g3)    2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-methyl-1H-imidazole;-   g4)    2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-phenyl-1H-imidazole;-   g5)    2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole;-   g6)    2-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl-4-(methyl)-1H-imidazole;-   g7)    1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyl-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole;-   g8)    2-(4-methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole;-   g9)    4-[2-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   g10)    2-(3-fluoro-5-methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole;-   h1)    4-[2-(3-fluoro-5-methylphenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   h2)    2-(3-methylphenyl)-1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole;-   h3)    4-[2-(3-methylphenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   h4)    1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole;-   h5)    4-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   h6)    4-[2-phenyl-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   h7)    4-[2-(4-methoxy-3-chlorophenyl)-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   h8)    1-allyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole;-   h9)    4-[1-ethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   i1)    N-phenyl-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetamide;-   i2) ethyl    [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]acetate;-   i3)    4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-(2-phenylethyl)-1H-pyrazole;-   i4)    4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1-(2-phenylethyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole;-   i5)    1-ethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole;-   i6)    5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazole;-   i7)    4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-5-(2-thiophenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole;-   i8)    5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methoxy-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine;-   i9)    2-ethoxy-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine;-   i10)    5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-(2-propynyloxy)-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine;-   j1)    2-bromo-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine;-   j2)    4-[2-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-difluorophenyl]benzenesulfonamide;-   j3) 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]benzene;-   j4) 5-difluoromethyl-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-3-phenylisoxazole;-   j5) 4-[3-ethyl-5-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   j6) 4-[5-difluoromethyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   j7) 4-[5-hydroxymethyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   j8) 4-[5-methyl-3-phenyl-isoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   j9)    1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene;-   j10)    1-[2-(4-fluoro-2-methylphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene;-   k1)    1-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene;-   k2)    1-[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene;-   k3)    1-[2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene;-   k4)    1-[2-(4-methylthiophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene;-   k5)    1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene;-   k6)    4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   k7)    1-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene;-   k8)    4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4-dimethylcyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   k9) 4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   k10) 4-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   l1)    1-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene;-   l2)    1-[2-(2,3-difluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene;-   l3)    4-[2-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   l4)    1-[2-(3-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methylsulfonyl)benzene;-   l5)    4-[2-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   l6) 4-[2-(2-methylpyridin-5-yl)cyclopenten-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   l7) ethyl    2-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazol-2-yl]-2-benzyl-acetate;-   l8)    2-[4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazol-2-yl]acetic    acid;-   l9)    2-(tert-butyl)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazole;-   l10)    4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-phenyloxazole;-   m1) 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-methyl-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]oxazole;    and-   m2)    4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide.-   m3) 6-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid;-   m4) 6-chloro-7-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   m5) 8-(1-methylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   m6)    6-chloro-7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   m7)    6-chloro-8-(1-methylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   m8) 2-trifluoromethyl-3H-naphthopyran-3-carboxylic acid;-   m9)    7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   m10) 6-bromo-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid;-   n1) 8-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid;-   n2)    6-trifluoromethoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   n3) 5,7-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   n4) 8-phenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid;-   n5) 7,8-dimethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   n6)    6,8-bis(dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   n7) 7-(1-methylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   n8) 7-phenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid;-   n9) 6-chloro-7-ethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   n10) 6-chloro-8-ethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   o1) 6-chloro-7-phenyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   o2) 6,7-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   o3) 6,8-dichloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   o4) 2-trifluoromethyl-3H-naptho[2,1-b]pyran-3-carboxylic acid;-   o5) 6-chloro-8-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   o6) 8-chloro-6-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   o7)    8-chloro-6-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   o8) 6-bromo-8-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   o9) 8-bromo-6-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   o10) 8-bromo-6-methyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   p1) 8-bromo-5-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   p2) 6-chloro-8-fluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   p3) 6-bromo-8-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   p4)    6-[[(phenylmethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   p5)    6-[(dimethylamino)sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   p6)    6-[(methylamino)sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   p7)    6-[(4-morpholino)sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   p8)    6-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)aminosulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   p9)    6-[(2-methylpropyl)aminosulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   p10) 6-methylsulfonyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   q1)    8-chloro-6-[[(phenylmethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   q2) 6-phenylacetyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   q3) 6,8-dibromo-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid;-   q4)    8-chloro-5,6-dimethyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   q5) 6,8-dichloro-(S)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   q6) 6-benzylsulfonyl-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   q7)    6-[[N-(2-furylmethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   q8)    6-[[N-(2-phenylethyl)amino]sulfonyl]-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   q9) 6-iodo-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid;-   q10)    7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-pentafluoroethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   r1)    5,5-dimethyl-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methyl-sulphonyl-2(5H)-fluranone;-   r2) 6-chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzothiopyran-3-carboxylic    acid;-   r3)    4-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   r4)    4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   r5)    4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(difluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   r6)    3-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine;-   r7)    2-methyl-5-[1-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-4-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl]pyridine;-   r8)    4-[2-(5-methylpyridin-3-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   r9) 4-[5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   r10) 4-[5-hydroxymethyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl]benzenesulfonamide;-   s1)    [2-trifluoromethyl-5-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide;-   s2) 4-[2-methyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide; or-   s3)    4-[5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl-2-trifluoromethyl)-4-oxazolyl]benzenesulfonamide;-   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

Cox-2 inhibitors that are useful in the methods and compositions ofpresent invention can be supplied by any source as long as the Cox-2inhibitor is pharmaceutically acceptable. Likewise, Cox-2 inhibitorsthat are useful in the compositions and methods of present invention canby synthesized, for example, according to the description in Example 1.Several Cox-2 inhibitors that are suitable for use with the compositionsand methods of the present invention may be synthesized by the methodsdescribed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,823 (incorporated byreference) to Talley, et al. Cox-2 inhibitors can also be isolated andpurified from natural sources. Cox-2 inhibitors should be of a qualityand purity that is conventional in the trade for use in pharmaceuticalproducts.

Preferred Cox-2 selective inhibitor compounds are those compoundsselected from the group consisting of celecoxib, parecoxib, deracoxib,valdecoxib, etoricoxib, meloxicam, rofecoxib, lumiracoxib, RS 57067,T-614, BMS-347070 (Bristol Meyers Squibb, described in U.S. Pat. No.6,180,651 (incorporated by reference)), JTE-522 (Japan Tabacco), S-2474(Shionogi), SVT-2016, CT-3 (Atlantic Pharmaceutical), ABT-963 (Abbott),SC-58125 (GD Searle), nimesulide, flosulide, NS-398 (TaishoPharmaceutical), L-745337 (Merck), RWJ-63556, L-784512 (Merck),darbufelone (Pfizer), CS-502 (Sankyo), LAS-34475 (Almirall Prodesfarma),LAS-34555 (Almirall Prodesfarma), S-33516 (Servier), SD-8381 (Pharmacia,described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,256 (incorporated by reference)),MK-966 (Merck), L-783003 (Merck), T-614 (Toyama), D-1376 (Chiroscience),L-748731 (Merck), CGP-28238 (Novartis), BF-389 (Biofor/Scherer),GR-253035 (Glaxo Wellcome), prodrugs of any of them, and mixturesthereof.

More preferred is that the Cox-2 selective inhibitor is selected fromthe group consisting of celecoxib, parecoxib, deracoxib, valdecoxib,lumiracoxib, etoricoxib, rofecoxib, prodrugs of any of them, andmixtures thereof.

Even more preferred still is that the Cox-2 selective inhibitor iscelecoxib.

Various classes of Cox-2 inhibitors useful in the present invention canbe prepared as follows. Pyrazoles can be prepared by methods describedin WO 95/15316 (incorporated by reference). Pyrazoles can further beprepared by methods described in WO 95/15315 (incorporated byreference). Pyrazoles can also be prepared by methods described in WO96/03385 (incorporated by reference).

Thiophene analogs useful in the present invention can be prepared bymethods described in WO 95/00501 (incorporated by reference).Preparation of thiophene analogs is also described in WO 94/15932(incorporated by reference).

Oxazoles useful in the present invention can be prepared by the methodsdescribed in WO 95/00501 (incorporated by reference). Preparation ofoxazoles is also described in WO 94/27980 (incorporated by reference).

Isoxazoles useful in the present invention can be prepared by themethods described in WO 96/25405 (incorporated by reference).

Imidazoles useful in the present invention can be prepared by themethods described in WO 96/03388 (incorporated by reference).Preparation of imidazoles is also described in WO 96/03387 (incorporatedby reference).

Cyclopentene Cox-2 inhibitors useful in the present invention can beprepared by the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,991(incorporated by reference). Preparation of cyclopentene Cox-2inhibitors is also described in WO 95/00501 (incorporated by reference).

Terphenyl compounds useful in the present invention can be prepared bythe methods described in WO 96/16934 (incorporated by reference).

Thiazole compounds useful in the present invention can be prepared bythe methods described in WO 96/03392 (incorporated by reference).

Pyridine compounds useful in the present invention can be prepared bythe methods described in WO 96/03392 (incorporated by reference).Preparation of pyridine compounds is also described in WO 96/24585(incorporated by reference).

Benzopyranopyrazolyl compounds useful in the present invention can beprepared by the methods described in WO 96/09304 (incorporated byreference).

Chromene compounds useful in the present invention can be prepared bythe methods described in WO 98/47890 (incorporated by reference).Preparation of chromene compounds is also described in WO 00/23433(incorporated by reference). Chromene compounds can further be preparedby the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,850 (incorporated byreference). Preparation of chromene compounds is further described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,034,256 (incorporated by reference).

Arylpyridazinones useful in the present invention can be prepared by themethods described in WO 00/24719 (incorporated by reference).Preparation of arylpyridazinones is also described in WO 99/10332(incorporated by reference). Arylpyridazinones can further be preparedby the methods described in WO 99/10331 (incorporated by reference).

5-Alkyl-2-arylaminophenylacetic acids and derivatives useful in thepresent invention can be prepared by the methods described in WO99/11605 (incorporated by reference).

Diarylmethylidenefuran derivative Cox-2 selective inhibitors useful inthe present invention can be prepared by the methods described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,180,651 (incorporated by reference).

The celecoxib used in the compositions and methods of the presentinvention can be prepared in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No.5,466,823 (incorporated by reference).

The valdecoxib used in the compositions and methods of the presentinvention can be prepared in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No.5,633,272 (incorporated by reference).

The parecoxib used in the compositions and methods of the presentinvention can be prepared in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No.5,932,598 (incorporated by reference).

The rofecoxib used in the compositions and methods of the presentinvention can be prepared in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No.5,474,995 (incorporated by reference).

The deracoxib used in the compositions and methods of the presentinvention can be prepared in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No.5,521,207 (incorporated by reference).

The etoricoxib used in the compositions and methods of the presentinvention can be prepared in the manner set forth in WO 98/03484(incorporated by reference).

The meloxicam used in the compositions and methods of the presentinvention can be prepared in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No.4,233,299 (incorporated by reference).

The compound4-(4-cyclohexyl-2-methyloxazol-5-yl)-2-fluorobenzenesulfonamide used inthe compositions and methods of the present invention can be prepared inthe manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,994,381 (incorporated byreference).

The compound2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutoxy)-5-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-3(2H)-pyridazinoneused in the compositions and methods of the present invention can beprepared in the manner set forth in WO 00/24719 (incorporated byreference).

The compound2-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-3-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]-2-cyclopenten-1-oneused in the compositions and methods of the present invention can beprepared in the manner set forth in EP 0863134.

The compound 2-[(2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)amino]-5-methyl-benzeneaceticacid used in the compositions and methods of the present invention canbe prepared in the manner set forth in WO 99/11605 (incorporated byreference).

The compound N-[2-(cyclohexyloxy)-4-nitrophenyl]methanesulfonamide usedin the compositions and methods of the present invention can be preparedin the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,885,367 (incorporated byreference).

The compound(3Z)-3-[(4-chlorophenyl)[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]methylene]dihydro-2(3H)-furanoneused in the compositions and methods of the present invention can beprepared in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,651(incorporated by reference).

Cytosolic Phospholipases A2 (cPLA2) Inhibitors

In certain embodiments, the PGE2 antagonist is an inhibitor of cytosolicphospholipases A2 (cPLA2), such as, merely to illustrate, arachidonyltrifluoromethyl ketone,

C. Further Combinations—Representative Checkpoint Inhibitors

In certain embodiments, the combination therapy involving an a PGE2antagonist and I-DASH inhibitor combination can be further supplementedby treatment with one or more additional agents, such as otherimmuno-oncology agents (i.e., other checkpoint inhibitors),chemotherapeutic agents, adjuvants and/or agents which further sensitivethe tumor cells to chemical or immunological killing.

For instance, the therapy can further include administering an inhibitorof immune checkpoint molecule or an activator of a costimulatorymolecule, or a combination thereof. Exemplary inhibitors of immunecheckpoints include inhibitors of one or more of PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3,LAG-3, CEACAM, VISTA, BTLA, TIGIT, LAIR1, CD160, 2B4, NLRP1, NRLP3,STING or TGFR beta. Exemplary activators of costimulatory moleculesinclude agonists of one or more of OX40, CD2, CD27, CDS, ICAM-1, LFA-1(CD11a/CD18), ICOS (CD278), 4-1BB (CD137), GITR, CD30, CD40, BAFFR,HVEM, CD7, LIGHT, NKG2C, SLAMF7, NKp80, CD160, B7-H₃ or CD83 ligand.Exemplary inhibitor of immune checkpoints and exemplary activators ofcostimulatory molecules can be found in PCT Publication WO 2016/054555,which is incorporated by reference herein.

Antibody: An antibody may be selected from any antibody, e.g., anyrecombinantly produced or naturally occurring antibodies, known in theart, in particular antibodies suitable for therapeutic purposes. Herein,the term “antibody” is used in its broadest sense and specificallycovers monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies (including, antagonist, andblocking or neutralizing antibodies) and antibody species withpolyepitopic specificity. According to the invention, “antibody”typically comprises any antibody known in the art (e.g., IgM, IgD, IgG,IgA and IgE antibodies), such as naturally occurring antibodies,antibodies generated by immunization in a host organism, antibodieswhich were isolated and identified from naturally occurring antibodiesor antibodies generated by immunization in a host organism andrecombinantly produced by biomolecular methods known in the art, as wellas chimeric antibodies, human antibodies, humanized antibodies,bispecific antibodies, intrabodies, i.e., antibodies expressed in cellsand optionally localized in specific cell compartments, and fragmentsand variants of the aforementioned antibodies. In general, an antibodyconsists of a light chain and a heavy chain both having variable andconstant domains. The light chain consists of an N-terminal variabledomain, VL, and a C-terminal constant domain, CL. In contrast, the heavychain of the IgG antibody, for example, is comprised of an N-terminalvariable domain, VH, and three constant domains, CH₁, CH₂ and CH₃.Single chain antibodies may be used according to the present inventionas well. Antibodies may preferably comprise full-length antibodies,i.e., antibodies composed of the full heavy and full light chains, asdescribed above. However, derivatives of antibodies such as antibodyfragments, variants or adducts may also be used as PD-1, CTLA-4 or otherimmune checkpoint pathway inhibitors according to the invention.Antibody fragments may be selected from Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)₂, Fc, Facb,pFc′, Fd and Fv fragments of the aforementioned (full-length)antibodies. In general, antibody fragments are known in the art. Forexample, a Fab (“fragment, antigen binding”) fragment is composed of oneconstant and one variable domain of each of the heavy and the lightchain. The two variable domains bind the epitope on specific antigens.The two chains are connected via a disulfide linkage. A scFv (“singlechain variable fragment”) fragment, for example, typically consists ofthe variable domains of the light and heavy chains. The domains arelinked by an artificial linkage, in general a polypeptide linkage suchas a peptide composed of 15-25 glycine, proline and/or serine residues.

Polyclonal antibody: Polyclonal antibody typically means mixtures ofantibodies directed to specific antigens or immunogens or epitopes of aprotein which were generated by immunization of a host organism, such asa mammal, e.g., including goat, cattle, swine, dog, cat, donkey, monkey,ape, a rodent such as a mouse, hamster and rabbit. Polyclonal antibodiesare generally not identical, and thus usually recognize differentepitopes or regions from the same antigen. Thus, in such a case,typically a mixture (a composition) of different antibodies will beused, each antibody being directed to specific antigens or immunogens orepitopes of a protein, particularly directed to, merely to illustrate,PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, CTLA-4 or other immune checkpoint protein.

Monoclonal antibody: The term “monoclonal antibody” herein typicallyrefers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantiallyhomogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising thepopulation are identical except for possible naturally-occurringmutations that may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonal antibodiesare highly specific, being directed to a single antigenic site.Furthermore, in contrast to conventional (polyclonal) antibodypreparations which typically include different antibodies directed todifferent determinants (epitopes), each monoclonal antibody is directedto a single determinant on the antigen. For example, monoclonalantibodies as defined above may be made by the hybridoma method firstdescribed by Kohler and Milstein, Nature, 256:495 (1975), or may be madeby recombinant DNA methods, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No.4,816,567 (incorporated by reference). “Monoclonal antibodies” may alsobe isolated from phage libraries generated using the techniquesdescribed in McCafferty et al., Nature, 348:552-554 (1990), for example.According to Kohler and Milstein, an immunogen (antigen) of interest isinjected into a host such as a mouse and B-cell lymphocytes produced inresponse to the immunogen are harvested after a period of time. TheB-cells are combined with myeloma cells obtained from mouse andintroduced into a medium which permits the B-cells to fuse with themyeloma cells, producing hybridomas. These fused cells (hybridomas) arethen placed into separate wells of microtiter plates and grown toproduce monoclonal antibodies. The monoclonal antibodies are tested todetermine which of them are suitable for detecting the antigen ofinterest. After being selected, the monoclonal antibodies can be grownin cell cultures or by injecting the hybridomas into mice. In thecontext of the present invention particularly preferred are monoclonalantibodies directed against, merely to illustrate, PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2,CTLA-4 or other immune checkpoint protein.

Chimeric antibodies: Chimeric antibodies, which may be used as PD-1,CTLA-4 or immune checkpoint pathway inhibitor according to the inventionare preferably antibodies in which the constant domains of an antibodydescribed above are replaced by sequences of antibodies from otherorganisms, preferably human sequences.

Humanized antibodies: Humanized (non-human) antibodies, which may beused as PD-1, CTLA-4 or immune checkpoint pathway inhibitor according tothe invention are antibodies in which the constant and variable domains(except for the hypervariable domains) of an antibody are replaced byhuman sequences.

Human antibodies: Human antibodies can be isolated from human tissues orfrom immunized non-human host organisms which are transgene for thehuman IgG gene locus. Additionally, human antibodies can be provided bythe use of a phage display.

Bispecific antibodies: Bispecific antibodies in context of the inventionare preferably antibodies which act as an adaptor between an effectorand a respective target by two different F{circumflex over ( )}-domains,e.g., for the purposes of recruiting effector molecules such as toxins,drugs, cytokines etc., targeting effector cells such as CTL, NK cells,makrophages, granulocytes, etc. (see for review: Kontermann R. E., ActaPharmacol. Sin, 2005, 26(1): 1-9). Bispecific antibodies as describedherein are, in general, configured to recognize by two differentF{circumflex over ( )}-domains, e.g., two different antigens,immunogens, epitopes, drugs, cells (or receptors on cells), or othermolecules (or structures) as described above. Bispecificity meansherewith that the antigen-binding regions of the antibodies are specificfor two different epitopes. Thus, different antigens, immunogens orepitopes, etc. can be brought close together, what, optionally, allows adirect interaction of the two components. For example, different cellssuch as effector cells and target cells can be connected via abispecific antibody. Encompassed, but not limited, by the presentinvention are antibodies or fragments thereof which bind, on the onehand, a soluble antigen and, on the other hand, an antigen or receptore.g., PD-1 or its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2 on the surface of a cell,e.g., a tumor cell. Intrabodies: Intrabodies may be antibodies asdefined above. These antibodies are intracellular expressed antibodies,and therefore these antibodies may be encoded by nucleic acids to beused for expression of the encoded antibodies. Therefore, nucleic acidscoding for an antibody, preferably as defined above, particularly anantibody directed against a member of the PD-1 pathway, e.g., PD-1,PD-L1 or PD-L2 may be used as PD-1 pathway inhibitor according to thepresent invention.

PD-1 Antagonists

The PD-1 gene is a 55 kDa type I transmembrane protein that is part ofthe Ig gene superfamily (Agata et al. (1996) Int Immunol 8:765-72). PD-1contains a membrane proximal immunoreceptor tyrosine inhibitory motif(ITIM) and a membrane distal tyrosine-based switch motif (ITSM) (Thomas,M. L. (1995) J Exp Med 181:1953-6; Vivier, E and Daeron, M (1997)Immunol Today 18:286-91). Two ligands for PD-1 have been identified,PD-L1 and PD-L2, that have been shown to downregulate T cell activationupon binding to PD-1 (Freeman et al. (2000) J Exp Med 192: 1027-34;Latchman et al. (2001) Nat Immunol 2:261-8; Carter et al. (2002) Eur JImmunol 32:634-43). Both PD-L1 and PD-L2 are B7 homologs that bind toPD-1, but do not bind to other CD28 family members. PD-L1 is abundant ina variety of human cancers (Dong et al. (2002) Nat. Med. 8:787-9). Theinteraction between PD-1 and PD-L1 results in a decrease in tumorinfiltrating lymphocytes, a decrease in T-cell receptor mediatedproliferation, and immune evasion by the cancerous cells (Dong et al.(2003) J. Mol. Med. 81:281-7; Blank et al. (2005) Cancer Immunol.Immunother. 54:307-314; Konishi et al. (2004) Clin. Cancer Res.10:5094-100). Immune suppression can be reversed by inhibiting the localinteraction of PD-1 with PD-L1, and the effect is additive when theinteraction of PD-1 with PD-L2 is blocked as well (Iwai et al. (2002)Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA 99:12293-7; Brown et al. (2003) J. Immunol.170: 1257-66).

As used herein, the terms “Programmed Death 1,” “Programmed Cell Death1,” “Protein PD-1,” “PD-1,” PD1,” “PDCD1,” “hPD-1” and “hPD-1” are usedinterchangeably, and include variants, isoforms, species homologs ofhuman PD-1, and analogs having at least one common epitope with humanPD-1. The complete human PD-1 sequence can be found under GenBankAccession No. U64863.

As used herein, the terms “Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand 1”, “PD-L1”,“PDL1”, “PDCD1LI”, “PDCD1LGI”, “CD274”, “B7 homolog 1”, “B7-H1”, “B7-H”,and “B7H1” are used interchangeably, and include variants, isoforms,species homologs of human PDL-1, and analogs having at least one commonepitope with human PDL-1. The complete human PD-L1 amino acidsequence—isoform a precursor—can be found under GenBank Accession No.NP_054862.1. The complete human PD-L1 amino acid sequence -isoform bprecursor—can be found under GenBank Accession No. NP_001254635.1.

The term “PD-1 axis binding antagonist” is a molecule that inhibits theinteraction of a PD-1 axis binding partner with either one or more ofits binding partner, so as to remove T-cell dysfunction resulting fromsignaling on the PD-1 signaling axis with a result being to restore orenhance T-cell function (e.g., proliferation, cytokine production,target cell killing). As used herein, a PD-1 axis binding antagonistincludes a PD-1 binding antagonist, a PD-L1 binding antagonist and aPD-L2 binding antagonist.

The term “PD-1 binding antagonists” is a molecule that decreases,blocks, inhibits, abrogates or interferes with signal transductionresulting from the interaction of PD-1 with one or more of its bindingpartners, such as PD-L1, PD-L2. In some embodiments, the PD-1 bindingantagonist is a molecule that inhibits the binding of PD-1 to itsbinding partners. In a specific aspect, the PD-1 binding antagonistinhibits the binding of PD-1 to PD-L1 and/or PD-L2. For example, PD-1binding antagonists include anti-PD-1 antibodies, antigen bindingfragments thereof, immunoadhesins, fusion proteins, oligopeptides andother molecules that decrease, block, inhibit, abrogate or interferewith signal transduction resulting from the interaction of PD-1 withPD-L1 and/or PD-L2. In one embodiment, a PD-1 binding antagonist reducesthe negative co-stimulatory signal mediated by or through cell surfaceproteins expressed on T lymphocytes mediated signaling through PD-1 soas render a dysfunctional T-cell less dysfunctional (e.g., enhancingeffector responses to antigen recognition). In some embodiments, thePD-1 binding antagonist is an anti-PD-1 antibody. In a specific aspect,a PD-1 binding antagonist is MDX-1106 described herein. In anotherspecific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is Merck 3745 describedherein. In another specific aspect, a PD-1 binding antagonist is CT-011described herein.

The term “PD-L1 binding antagonists” is a molecule that decreases,blocks, inhibits, abrogates or interferes with signal transductionresulting from the interaction of PD-L1 with either one or more of itsbinding partners, such as PD-1, B7-1. In some embodiments, a PD-L1binding antagonist is a molecule that inhibits the binding of PD-L1 toits binding partners. In a specific aspect, the PD-L1 binding antagonistinhibits binding of PD-L1 to PD-1 and/or B7-1. In some embodiments, thePD-L1 binding antagonists include anti-PD-L1 antibodies, antigen bindingfragments thereof, immunoadhesins, fusion proteins, oligopeptides andother molecules that decrease, block, inhibit, abrogate or interferewith signal transduction resulting from the interaction of PD-L1 withone or more of its binding partners, such as PD-1, B7-1. In oneembodiment, a PD-L1 binding antagonist reduces the negativeco-stimulatory signal mediated by or through cell surface proteinsexpressed on T lymphocytes mediated signaling through PD-L1 so as torender a dysfunctional T-cell less dysfunctional (e.g., enhancingeffector responses to antigen recognition). In some embodiments, a PD-L1binding antagonist is an anti-PD-L1 antibody. In a specific aspect, ananti-PD-L1 antibody is YW243.55.S70 described herein. In anotherspecific aspect, an anti-PD-L1 antibody is MDX-1105 described herein. Instill another specific aspect, an anti-PD-L1 antibody is MPDL3280Adescribed herein.

The term “PD-L2 binding antagonists” is a molecule that decreases,blocks, inhibits, abrogates or interferes with signal transductionresulting from the interaction of PD-L2 with either one or more of itsbinding partners, such as PD-1. In some embodiments, a PD-L2 bindingantagonist is a molecule that inhibits the binding of PD-L2 to itsbinding partners. In a specific aspect, the PD-L2 binding antagonistinhibits binding of PD-L2 to PD-1. In some embodiments, the PD-L2antagonists include anti-PD-L2 antibodies, antigen binding fragmentsthereof, immunoadhesins, fusion proteins, oligopeptides and othermolecules that decrease, block, inhibit, abrogate or interfere withsignal transduction resulting from the interaction of PD-L2 with eitherone or more of its binding partners, such as PD-1. In one embodiment, aPD-L2 binding antagonist reduces the negative co-stimulatory signalmediated by or through cell surface proteins expressed on T lymphocytesmediated signaling through PD-L2 so as render a dysfunctional T-cellless dysfunctional (e.g., enhancing effector responses to antigenrecognition). In some embodiments, a PD-L2 binding antagonist is animmunoadhesin.

PD-1 pathway: Members of the PD-1 pathway are all proteins which areassociated with PD-1 signaling. On the one hand these might be proteinswhich induce PD-1 signaling upstream of PD-1 as e.g., the ligands ofPD-1 PD-L1 and PD-L2 and the signal transduction receptor PD-1. On theother hand, these might be signal transduction proteins downstream ofPD-1 receptor. Particularly preferred as members of the PD-1 pathway inthe context of the present invention are PD-1, PD-L1 and PD-L2.

PD-1 pathway inhibitor: In the context of the present invention, a PD-1pathway inhibitor is preferably defined herein as a compound capable toimpair the PD-1 pathway signaling, preferably signaling mediated by thePD-1 receptor. Therefore, the PD-1 pathway inhibitor may be anyinhibitor directed against any member of the PD-1 pathway capable ofantagonizing PD-1 pathway signaling. In this context, the inhibitor maybe an antagonistic antibody as defined herein, targeting any member ofthe PD-1 pathway, preferably directed against PD-1 receptor, PD-L1 orPD-L2. This antagonistic antibody may also be encoded by a nucleic acid.Such encoded antibodies are also called “intrabodies” as defined herein.Also, the PD-1 pathway inhibitor may be a fragment of the PD-1 receptoror the PD1-receptor blocking the activity of PD1 ligands. B7-1 orfragments thereof may act as PD1-inhibiting ligands as well.Furthermore, the PD-1 pathway inhibitor may be si NA (small interferingRNA) or antisense RNA directed against a member of the PD-1 pathway,preferably PD-1, PD-L1 or PD-L2. Additionally, a PD-1 pathway inhibitormay be a protein comprising (or a nucleic acid coding for) an amino acidsequence capable of binding to PD-1 but preventing PD-1 signaling, e.g.,by inhibiting PD-1 and B7-H1 or B7-DL interaction. Additionally, a PD-1pathway inhibitor may be a small molecule inhibitor capable ofinhibiting PD-1 pathway signaling, e.g., a PD-1 binding peptide or asmall organic molecule.

In certain embodiments, PD-1 antagonists of the invention include agentsthat bind to ligands of PD-1 and interfere with, reduce, or inhibit thebinding of one or more ligands to the PD-1 receptor, or bind directly tothe PD-1 receptor, without engaging in signal transduction through thePD-1 receptor. In one embodiment, the PD-1 antagonist binds directly toPD-1 and blocks PD-1 inhibitory signal transduction. In anotherembodiment, the PD-1 antagonist binds to one or more ligands of PD-1(e.g., PD-L1 and PD-L2) and reduces or inhibits the ligand(s) fromtriggering inhibitory signal transduction through the PD-1. In oneembodiment, the PD-1 antagonist binds directly to PD-L1, inhibiting orpreventing PD-L1 from binding to PD-1, thereby blocking PD-1 inhibitorysignal transduction.

PD-1 antagonists used in the methods and compositions of the presentinvention include PD-1 binding scaffold proteins and include, but arenot limited to, PD-ligands, antibodies and multivalent agents. In aparticular embodiment, the antagonist is a fusion protein, such asAMP-224. In another embodiment, the antagonist is an anti-PD-1 antibody(“PD-1 antibody”). Anti-human-PD-1 antibodies (or VH and/or VL domainsderived therefrom) suitable for use in the invention can be generatedusing methods well known in the art. Alternatively, art recognizedanti-PD-1 antibodies can be used. For example, antibodies MK-3475 orCT-011 can be used. Additionally, monoclonal antibodies 5C4, 17D8, 2D3,4H1, 4A11, 7D3, and 5F4, described in WO 2006/121168, the teachings ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference, can be used. Antibodies thatcompete with any of these art-recognized antibodies for binding to PD-1also can be used.

In another embodiment, the PD-1 antagonist is an anti-PD-L1 antibody.Anti-human-PD-L1 antibodies (or VH and/or VL domains derived therefrom)suitable for use in the invention can be generated using methods wellknown in the art. Alternatively, art recognized anti-PD-L1 antibodiescan be used. For example, MEDI4736 (also known as Anti-B7-H1) orMPDL3280A (also known as RG7446) can be used. Additionally, monoclonalantibodies 12A4, 3G10, 10A5, 5F8, 10H10, 1B12, 7H1, 11E6, 12B7, and 13G4described in WO 2007/005874 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,943,743, the teachingsof which are hereby incorporated by reference, can be used. Antibodiesthat compete with any of these art-recognized antibodies for binding toPD-L1 also can be used.

An exemplary anti-PD-L1 antibody is 12A4 (WO 2007/005874 and U.S. Pat.No. 7,943,743). In one embodiment, the antibody comprises the heavy andlight chain CDRs or VRs of 12A4. Accordingly, in one embodiment, theantibody comprises the CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 domains of the VH region of12A4 having the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and the CDR1, CDR2 andCDR3 domains of the VL region of 12A4 having the sequence shown in SEQID NO: 3. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises the heavy chainCDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 domains having the sequences set forth in SEQ IDNOs: 5, 6, and 7, respectively, and the light chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3domains having the sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 8, 9, and 10,respectively. In another embodiment, the antibody comprises VH and/or VLregions having the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and/orSEQ ID NO: 3, respectively. In another embodiment, the antibodycomprises the heavy chain variable (VH) and/or light chain variable (VL)regions encoded by the nucleic acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2and/or SEQ ID NO: 4, respectively. In another embodiment, the antibodycompetes for binding with, and/or binds to the same epitope on PD-L1 as,the above-mentioned antibodies. In another embodiment, the antibody hasat least about 90% variable region amino acid sequence identity with theabove-mentioned antibodies (e.g., at least about 90%, 95% or 99%variable region identity with SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 3).

Anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies may bind to PD-1 or PD-L1,respectively, with a KD of 10⁻⁷ M, 5×10⁻⁸ M, 10⁻⁸ M, 5×10⁻⁹ M, 10⁻⁹ M,5×10⁻¹⁰ M, 10⁻¹⁰ M or less.

In one embodiment, the PD-1 inhibitor is an anti-PD-1 antibody chosenfrom Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab or Pidilizumab. A preferred PD-1 inhibitoris Nivolumab.

In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is Nivolumab. Alternativenames for Nivolumab include MDX-1106, MDX-1106-04, ONO-4538, orBMS-936558. In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is Nivolumab(CAS Registry Number: 946414-94-4). Nivolumab is a fully human IgG4monoclonal antibody which specifically blocks PD1. Nivolumab (clone 5C4)and other human monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to PD1 aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,008,449 (incorporated by reference) and WO2006/121168 (incorporated by reference). In other embodiments, theanti-PD-1 antibody is Pembrolizumab. Pembrolizumab (Trade name KEYTRUDAformerly Lambrolizumab, also known as Merck 3745, MK-3475 or SCH-900475)is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody that binds to PD1. Pembrolizumabis disclosed, e.g., in Hamid, O. et al. (2013) New England Journal ofMedicine 369 (2): 134-44, WO 2009/114335 (incorporated by reference),and U.S. Pat. No. 8,354,509 (incorporated by reference).

In some embodiments, the anti-PD-1 antibody is Pidilizumab. Pidilizumab(CT-011; Cure Tech) is a humanized IgGlk monoclonal antibody that bindsto PD1. Pidilizumab and other humanized anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodiesare disclosed in WO2009/101611. Other anti-PD1 antibodies are disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 8,609,089, US 2010028330, and/or US 20120114649. Otheranti-PD1 antibodies include AMP 514 (Amplimmune).

In some embodiments, the PD-1 inhibitor is an immunoadhesin {e.g., animmunoadhesin comprising an extracellular or PD-1 binding portion ofPD-L1 or PD-L2 fused to a constant region {e.g., an Fc region of animmunoglobulin sequence). In some embodiments, the PD-1 inhibitor isAMP-224. In some embodiments, the PD-L1 inhibitor is anti-PD-L1antibody. In some embodiments, the anti-PD-L1 inhibitor is YW243.55.S70,MPDL3280A, MEDI-4736, MSB-0010718C, or MDX-1105.

In one embodiment, the PD-L1 inhibitor is MDX-1105. MDX-1105, also knownas BMS-936559, is an anti-PD-L1 antibody described in WO 2007/005874. Inone embodiment, the PD-L1 inhibitor is YW243.55.570. The YW243.55.570antibody is an anti-PD-L1 described in WO 2010/077634 (incorporated byreference) (heavy and light chain variable region sequences shown in SEQID Nos. 11 and 122-4ad-2, respectively).

In one embodiment, the PD-L1 inhibitor is MDPL3280A (Genentech/Roche).MDPL3280A is a human Fc optimized IgGl monoclonal antibody that binds toPD-L1. MDPL3280A and other human monoclonal antibodies to PD-L1 aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,943,743 (incorporated by reference) and U.S Publication No.: 2012/0039906 (incorporated by reference). In otherembodiments, the PD-L2 inhibitor is AMP-224. AMP-224 is a PD-L2 Fcfusion soluble receptor that blocks the interaction between PD1 andB7-H1 (B7-DCIg; Amplimmune; e.g., disclosed in WO 2010/027827(incorporated by reference) and WO 2011/066342 (incorporated byreference)).

In certain embodiments, the PD-1 pathway inhibitor is a small moleculeantagonist of PD-1 pathway signaling. Such small molecule antagonistsinclude those agents that bind to one or more of PD-1, PD-1L and/orPD-1L2 and inhibits the interaction of PD-1 with PD-1L1 and/or PD-1L2.

Exemplary small molecule antagonist of PD-1 pathway signaling can befound in, inter alia, published US applications 2014/0294898 and2014/0199334, and published PCT Applications WO 2013/132317 and WO2012/168944, each of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Merely to illustrate, the subject combination therapy can be practicedwith small molecule antagonist selected from the group consisting of

In other embodiments, the small molecule antagonist is represented inthe general formula (“Ser-Thr-Asn-Ser” disclosed as SEQ ID NO: 13)

-   -   wherein,    -   R1 is free C-terminal or amidated C-terminal of Ser;    -   L is a linker selected from —NH(CH₂)_(n)NH— or        —NH(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)NH—;    -   R4 is selected from hydrogen, amino(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, —NHCOCH₃ or        —NHCONH₂;    -   or retro analogue or a pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomer        or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In still other embodiments, the small molecule antagonist is representedin the general formula (“Ser-Asn-Thr-Ser” disclosed as SEQ ID NO: 14)

-   -   wherein,    -   R₁ is N-terminal of Ser; or (C₁-C₂₀)acyl substituted with either        hydroxyl group or amino group of Ser;    -   L is a linker selected from —NH(CH₂)_(n)NH—,        —NH(CH₂)_(n)CH(NH₂)CO—, —OOC(CH₂)_(m)COO—, —NH(CH₂)_(n)CO—,        —NH(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)NH—, —NH(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)CO— or —CO(CH₂CH₂O)_(n)CO—;    -   R2 is free C-terminal, amidated C-terminal or N-terminal of Am₂;        or Y—R₅;    -   Y is an optional linker selected from —OOC(CH₂)_(m)COO—,        —CO(CH₂)_(n)NH—, —CO(CH₂CH₂)_(n)NH— or —COCH₂(OCH₂CH₂)_(n)NH—;    -   R5 is an albumin binding moiety such as maleimido propionic        acid;    -   R3 is OH or NH₂;    -   R4 is a substituent on phenyl group of Phe and is selected from        hydrogen, amino(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl, —NHCOCH₃ or —NHCONH₂;    -   n is an integer having values selected from 2 to 10, both        inclusive;    -   m is an integer having values selected from 0 to 8, both        inclusive; and    -   one of the peptide bond (—CONH—) of Ser-Asn, Asn-Thr or Thr-Ser        may be replaced with a modified peptide bond of

-   -   wherein Q is hydrogen, —CO(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl or —COO(C₁-C₂₀)alkyl        group; wherein one or more or all amino acids may be in the        D-configuration;    -   or retro analogue or a pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomer        or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

For instance, the small molecule antagonist can be selected from thegroup consisting of (“Ser-Asn-Thr-Ser” disclosed as SEQ ID NO: 14)

CTLA-4 Antagonists

In certain embodiments, a combination described herein also includes aCTLA-4 inhibitor. Exemplary anti-CTLA-4 antibodies include Tremelimumab(IgG2 monoclonal antibody available from Pfizer, formerly known asticilimumab, CP-675,206); and Ipilimumab (CTLA-4 antibody, also known asMDX-010, CAS No. 477202-00-9).

Information regarding tremelimumab (or antigen-binding fragmentsthereof) for use in the methods provided herein can be found in U.S.Pat. No. 6,682,736 (incorporated by reference) (where it is referred toas 11.2.1), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety. Tremelimumab (also known as CP-675,206, CP-675,CP-675206, and ticilimumab) is a human IgG2 monoclonal antibody that ishighly selective for CTLA-4 and blocks binding of CTLA-4 to CD80 (B7.1)and CD86 (B7.2). It has been shown to result in immune activation invitro and some patients treated with tremelimumab have shown tumorregression.

Tremelimumab for use in the methods provided herein comprises a heavychain and a light chain or a heavy chain variable region and a lightchain variable region. In a specific aspect, tremelimumab or anantigen-binding fragment thereof for use in the methods provided hereincomprises a light chain variable region comprising the amino acidsequences shown herein above and a heavy chain variable regioncomprising the amino acid sequence shown herein above. In a specificaspect, tremelimumab or an antigen-binding fragment thereof for use inthe methods provided herein comprises a heavy chain variable region anda light chain variable region, wherein the heavy chain variable regioncomprises the Kabat-defined CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 sequences shown hereinabove, and wherein the light chain variable region comprises theKabat-defined CDR1, CDR2, and CDR3 sequences shown herein above. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art would easily be able to identifyChothia-defined, Abm-defined or other CDR definitions known to those ofordinary skill in the art. In a specific aspect, tremelimumab or anantigen-binding fragment thereof for use in the methods provided hereincomprises the variable heavy chain and variable light chain CDRsequences of the antibody as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,736, whichis herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The present invention also contemplates utilizing small moleculeinhibitors of CTLA-4, such as described by Huxley et al. 2004 CellChemical Biology 11:1651-1658, which includes compounds of the formula:

Compound W Z X R 1 F H CH OH 2 F H CH NHCH₂CH₂CH₂NMe₂ 3 H H N

4 F H N

5 F H N

6 F F N

Other small molecule CTLA-4 antagonists include

In one embodiment, the combination includes an immuno-DASH inhibitor, ananti-PD-1 antibody molecule, e.g., as described herein, and ananti-CTLA-4 antibody, e.g., ipilimumab. Exemplary doses that can be useinclude a dose of anti-PD-1 antibody molecule of about 1 to 10 mg/kg,e.g., 3 mg/kg, and a dose of an anti-CTLA-4 antibody, e.g., ipilimumab,of about 3 mg/kg.

Other exemplary anti-CTLA-4 antibodies are disclosed, e.g., in U.S. Pat.No. 5,811,097.

D. Further Combinations—Chemotherapeutics

Exemplary types of chemotherapy drugs with which the subject combinationtherapy of PD-1 antagonist/immuno-DASH inhibitors can be used in furthercombination therapies include: DNA-alkylating drugs (such ascyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, cisplatin, carboplatin, dacarbazine),antimetabolites (5-fluorouracil, capecitabine, 6-mercaptopurine,methotrexate, gemcitabine, cytarabine, fludarabine), mitotic inhibitors(such as paclitaxel, docetaxel, vinblastine, vincristine), anticancerantibiotics (such as daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin,mitoxantrone), topoisomerase I and/or II inhibitors (such as topotecan,irinotecan, etoposide, teniposide), and hormone therapy (such astamoxifen, flutamide)

In some embodiments, the chemotherapeutic agent is selected from thegroup consisting of vemurafenib, GDC-0879, PLX-4720, 5-fluorouracil,aldesleukin, aminopterin, asparaginase, bleomycin sulfate, capecitabine,carboplatin, chlorambucil, cisplatin, cladribine, clofarabine,cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, dacarbazine, dactinomycin, daunorubicinhydrochloride, decitabine, docetaxel, doxorubicin, doxorubicinhydrochloride, epirubicin hydrochloride, etoposide, etoposide phosphate,floxuridine, fludarabine, fluorouracil, gemcitabine, gemcitabinehydrochloride, hydroxyurea, idarubicin hydrochloride, ifosfamide,interferons, interferon-α2a, interferon-α2b, interferon-αn3,interferon-α1b, interleukins, iproplatin, irinotecan, lobaplatin,mechlorethamine hydrochloride, melphalan, mercatopurine, methotrexate,methotrexate sodium, mitomycin, mitoxantrone, nedaplatin, ormiplatin,oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, pemetrexed, pegaspargase, pentostatin,prednisone, profimer sodium, procabazine hydrochloride, raltitrexed,satraplatin, taxol, taxotere, teniposide, thioguanine, topotecanhydrochloride, triplatin tetranitrate (BBR3464), tetraplatin,vinblastine sulfate, vincristine sulfate and vinorelbine tartrate.

Recent evidence indicates that certain anticancer drugs, such asanthracyclines, induce an immunogenic type of apoptosis that stimulatesthe engulfment of apoptotic bodies by dendritic cells (DCs) and theactivation of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells through cross-priming. In someembodiments, the chemotherapeutic agent is an agent that inducesimmunogenic cell death, e.g., antigenic apoptosis, of tumor cells. Forinstance, the effects of the chemotherapeutic agent can includeincreasing the cell surface expression of calreticulin and/or heat shockprotein 70 (HSP70). Exemplary chemotherapeutic agents of this kindinclude anthracyclines such as doxorubicin.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to the combinationof PD-1 antagonist/immuno-DASH inhibitors with an antitumor platinumcoordination complex in the treatment of cancer, and more particularlyin the treatment of a cancer selected from lung cancer, sarcoma,malignant melanoma, prostate cancer, pancreas carcinoma, gastriccarcinoma, ovarian cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer,kidney cancer, brain cancer and lymphoma. This chemotherapeutic groupincludes, but is not limited to cisplatin, oxaliplatin, carboplatin,triplatin tetranitrate (BBR3464), satraplatin, tetraplatin, ormiplatin,iproplatin, nedaplatin and lobaplatin. Particularly preferred is thecombination of immuno-DASH inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, with cisplatin, oxaliplatin, carboplatin, triplatintetranitrate, satraplatin, tetraplatin, ormiplatin, iproplatin,nedaplatin and lobaplatin, and even more preferred is the combinationwith cisplatin and oxaliplatin in the treatment of cancer, and moreparticularly in the treatment of a cancer selected from lung cancer,sarcoma, malignant melanoma, prostate cancer, pancreas carcinoma,gastric carcinoma, ovarian cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colorectalcancer, kidney cancer and brain cancer. In another preferred embodiment,the invention is directed to the combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor,or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with an antimetabolite inthe treatment of cancer, and more particularly in the treatment of acancer selected from lung cancer, sarcoma, malignant melanoma, bladdercarcinoma, prostate cancer, pancreas carcinoma, gastric carcinoma,ovarian cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, kidneycancer, esophageal cancer, brain cancer, anal cancer, leukaemia andlymphoma. This chemotherapeutic group includes, but is not limited to5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, cytarabine, capecitabine, decitabine,floxuridine, fludarabine, aminopterin, methotrexate, pemetrexed,raltitrexed, cladribine, clofarabine, mercaptopurine, pentostatin, andthioguanine. Particularly preferred is the combination of immuno-DASHinhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, cytarabine, capecitabine, decitabine,floxuridine, fludarabine, aminopterin, methotrexate, pemetrexed,raltitrexed, cladribine, clofarabine, mercaptopurine, pentostatin, andthioguanine, and even more preferred is the combination with5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, cytarabine and methotrexate in thetreatment of cancer, and more particularly in the treatment of a cancerselected from lung cancer, sarcoma, malignant melanoma, prostate cancer,pancreas carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, ovarian cancer, hepatoma, breastcancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, brain cancer, leukemia andlymphoma.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to thecombination of PD-1 antagonist/immuno-DASH inhibitors with a mitoticinhibitor in the treatment of cancer, and more particularly in thetreatment of a cancer selected from lung cancer, sarcoma, prostatecancer, gastric carcinoma, ovarian cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer,colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, brain cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma.This chemotherapeutic group includes, but is not limited to paclitaxel,docetaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, and vinorelbine.Particularly preferred is the combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with paclitaxel, docetaxel,vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, and vinorelbine, and even morepreferred is the combination with paclitaxel, docetaxel, vincristine andvinorelbine in the treatment of cancer, and more particularly in thetreatment of a cancer selected from lung cancer, sarcoma, prostatecancer, gastric carcinoma, ovarian cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer,colorectal cancer, kidney cancer and brain cancer.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to thecombination of PD-1 antagonist/immuno-DASH inhibitors with an anticancerantibiotic in the treatment of cancer, and more particularly in thetreatment of lung cancer, sarcoma, malignant melanoma, bladdercarcinoma, prostate cancer, pancreas carcinoma, thyroid cancer, gastriccarcinoma, ovarian cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer,kidney cancer, neuroblastoma, brain cancer, anal cancer, testicularcancer, leukemia, multiple myeloma and lymphoma. This chemotherapeuticgroup includes, but is not limited to daunorubicin, doxorubicin,epirubicin, idarubicin, mitoxantrone, pixantrone, valrubicin, mitomycinC, bleomycin, actinomycin A and mithramycin. Particularly preferred isthe combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor, or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, with daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin,idarubicin, mitoxantrone, pixantrone, valrubicin, mitomycin C,bleomycin, actinomycin D and mithramycin, and even more preferred is thecombination with daunorubicin, doxorubicin, mitomycin C and actinomycinD in the treatment of cancer, and more particularly in the treatment oflung cancer, sarcoma, malignant melanoma, prostate cancer, pancreascarcinoma, gastric carcinoma, ovarian cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer,colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, brain cancer, leukemia and lymphoma.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to thecombination of PD-1 antagonist/immuno-DASH inhibitors with atopoisomerase I and/or II inhibitor in the treatment of cancer, and moreparticularly in the treatment of lung cancer, sarcoma, malignantmelanoma, prostate cancer, pancreas carcinoma, gastric carcinoma,ovarian cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, kidneycancer, neuroblastoma, brain cancer, cervical cancer, testicular cancer,leukemia and lymphoma. This chemotherapeutic group includes, but is notlimited to topotecan, SN-38, irinotecan, camptothecin, rubitecan,etoposide, amsacrine and teniposide. Particularly preferred is thecombination of PM00104, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,with topotecan, SN-38, irinotecan, camptothecin, rubitecan, etoposide,amsacrine and teniposide, and even more preferred is the combinationwith topotecan, irinotecan and etoposide in the treatment of cancer, andmore particularly in the treatment of lung cancer, sarcoma, malignantmelanoma, prostate cancer, pancreas carcinoma, gastric carcinoma,ovarian cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, kidneycancer, and brain cancer.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to thecombination of PD-1 antagonist/immuno-DASH inhibitors with a proteosomeinhibitor in the treatment of cancer, and more particularly in thetreatment of lung cancer, prostate cancer, pancreas carcinoma, gastriccarcinoma, hepatoma, colorectal cancer, brain cancer, multiple myelomaand lymphoma. This chemotherapeutic group includes, but is not limitedto bortezomib, disulfiram, epigallocatechin gallate, and salinosporamideA. Particularly preferred is the combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor,or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with bortezomib,disulfiram, epigallocatechin gallate, and salinosporamide A, and evenmore preferred is the combination with bortezomib in the treatment ofcancer, and more particularly in the treatment of lung cancer, prostatecancer, pancreas carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, hepatoma, colorectalcancer and brain cancer.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to thecombination of PD-1 antagonist/immuno-DASH inhibitors with a histonedeacetylase inhibitor in the treatment of cancer, and more particularlyin the treatment of lung cancer, sarcoma, prostate cancer, pancreascarcinoma, gastric carcinoma, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, colorectalcancer, kidney cancer, brain cancer and lymphoma. This chemotherapeuticgroup includes, but is not limited to romidepsin, panobinostat,vorinostat, mocetinostat, belinostat, entinostat, resminostat,PCI-24781, AR-42, CUDC-101, and valproic acid. Particularly preferred isthe combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor, or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, with romidepsin, panobinostat, vorinostat,mocetinostat, belinostat, entinostat, resminostat, PCI-24781, AR-42,CUDC-101, and valproic acid, and even more preferred is the combinationwith vorinostat in the treatment of cancer, and more particularly in thetreatment of lung cancer, sarcoma, prostate cancer, pancreas carcinoma,gastric carcinoma, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer,kidney cancer and brain cancer.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to thecombination of PD-1 antagonist/immuno-DASH inhibitors with a nitrogenmustard alkylating agent in the treatment of cancer, and moreparticularly in the treatment of lung cancer, sarcoma, bladdercarcinoma, gastric carcinoma, ovarian cancer, hepatoma, breast cancer,colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, multiple myeloma andlymphoma. This chemotherapeutic group includes, but is not limited tomelphalan, ifosfamide, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, mechlorethamine,uramustine, estramustine and bendamustine. Particularly preferred is thecombination of immuno-DASH inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, with melphalan, ifosfamide, chlorambucil,cyclophosphamide, mechlorethamine, uramustine, estramustine andbendamustine, and even more preferred is the combination withcyclophosphamide in the treatment of cancer, and more particularly inthe treatment of lung cancer, sarcoma, gastric carcinoma, ovariancancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and kidney cancer. Inanother preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to thecombination of immuno-DASH inhibitor, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, with a nitrosourea alkylating agent in the treatment ofcancer, and more particularly in the treatment of lung cancer, ovariancancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, multiple myeloma and lymphoma. Thischemotherapeutic group includes, but is not limited to lomustine,semustine, carmustine, fotemustine and streptozotocin. Particularlypreferred is the combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with lomustine, semustine,carmustine, fotemustine and streptozotocin, and even more preferred isthe combination with carmustine in the treatment of cancer, and moreparticularly in the treatment of lung cancer, ovarian cancer and breastcancer.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to thecombination of PD-1 antagonist/immuno-DASH inhibitors with anonclassical alkylating agent in the treatment of cancer, and moreparticularly in the treatment of lung cancer, sarcoma, malignantmelanoma, pancreas carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, ovarian cancer, breastcancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, brain cancer, leukemia andlymphoma. This chemotherapeutic group includes, but is not limited toprocarbazine, dacarbazine, temozolomide and altretamine. Particularlypreferred is the combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with procarbazine,dacarbazine, temozolomide and altretamine, and even more preferred isthe combination with dacarbazine and tezolomide in the treatment of lungcancer, sarcoma, malignant melanoma, gastric carcinoma, ovarian cancer,breast cancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer and brain cancer. Inanother preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to thecombination of PD-1 antagonist/immuno-DASH inhibitors with an estrogenantagonist in the treatment of cancer, and more particularly in thetreatment of breast cancer. This chemotherapeutic group includes, but isnot limited to toremifene, fulvestrant, tamoxifen and nafoxidine.Particularly preferred is the combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with toremifene, fulvestrant,tamoxifen and nafoxidine, and even more preferred is the combinationwith tamoxifen in the treatment of breast cancer.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to thecombination of PD-1 antagonist/immuno-DASH inhibitors with an androgenantagonist in the treatment of cancer, and more particularly in thetreatment of prostate cancer. This chemotherapeutic group includes, butis not limited to bicalutamide, flutamide, MDV3100 and nilutamide.Particularly preferred is the combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with bicalutamide, flutamide,MDV3100 and nilutamide, and even more preferred is the combination withflutamide in the treatment of prostate cancer.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to thecombination of PD-1 antagonist/immuno-DASH inhibitors with a mTORinhibitor in the treatment of cancer, and more particularly in thetreatment of lung cancer, sarcoma, malignant melanoma, prostate cancer,pancreas carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, ovarian cancer, breast cancer,colorectal cancer, kidney cancer and brain cancer. This chemotherapeuticgroup includes, but is not limited to sirolimus, temsirolimus,everolimus, ridaforolimus, KU-0063794 and WYE-354. Particularlypreferred is the combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with sirolimus, temsirolimus,everolimus, ridaforolimus, KU-0063794 and WYE-354, and even morepreferred is the combination with temsirolimus in the treatment of lungcancer, sarcoma, malignant melanoma, prostate cancer, pancreascarcinoma, gastric carcinoma, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, colorectalcancer and brain cancer.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention is directed to thecombination of PD-1 antagonist/immuno-DASH inhibitors with a tyrosinekinase inhibitor in the treatment of cancer, and more particularly inthe treatment of a cancer selected from lung cancer, sarcoma, prostatecancer, pancreas carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, ovarian cancer, hepatoma,breast cancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer and brain cancer. Thischemotherapeutic group includes, but is not limited to erlotinib,sorafenib, axitinib, bosutinib, cediranib, crizotinib, dasatinib,gefitinib, imatinib, canertinib, lapatinib, lestaurtinib, neratinib,nilotinib, semaxanib, sunitinib, vatalanib and vandetanib. Particularlypreferred is the combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with erlotinib, sorafenib,axitinib, bosutinib, cediranib, crizotinib, dasatinib, gefitinib,imatinib, canertinib, lapatinib, lestaurtinib, neratinib, nilotinib,semaxanib, sunitinib, vatalanib and vandetanib, and even more preferredis the combination with erlotinib in the treatment of cancer, and moreparticularly in the treatment of a cancer selected from lung cancer,sarcoma, prostate cancer, pancreas carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, ovariancancer, hepatoma, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer andbrain cancer.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to any one of theforegoing methods, further comprising administering to the patient a MAPkinase pathway inhibitor or a WNT pathway inhibitor.

In some embodiments, the MAP kinase pathway inhibitor is selected fromthe group consisting of a BRAF inhibitor, a MEK inhibitor, a PI3Kinhibitor and a c-KIT inhibitor.

In some embodiments, the BRAF inhibitor is selected from the groupconsisting of GDC-0879, PLX-4720, sorafenib tosylate, dabrafenib andLGX818.

In some embodiments, the MEK inhibitor is selected from the groupconsisting of GSK1120212, selumetinib and MEK162.

In some embodiments, the WNT pathway inhibitor is a β-catenin inhibitoror a frizzled inhibitor.

In some embodiments, the β-catenin inhibitor is selected from the groupconsisting of niclosamide, XAV-939, FH 535 and ICG 001.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to any one of theforegoing methods, further comprising administering to the patient acancer vaccine. In some embodiments, the cancer vaccine is a dendriticcell vaccine.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to any one of theforegoing methods, further comprising administering to the patient anadoptive cell transfer.

In some embodiments, the adoptive cell transfer is a CAR-T cell therapy.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to any one of theforegoing methods, further comprising administering to the patient anantibody therapy.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to any one of theforegoing methods, wherein administration of the immuno-DASH-inhibitorenhances antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity of the antibodytherapy.

In some embodiment, the antibody therapy is selected from the groupconsisting of trastuzamab, cetuximab, bevacizumab, and rituximab.

IV. Pharmaceutical Compositions

Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable excipients are presented herein,and include, for example binders, disintegrating agents, lubricants,corrigents, solubilizing agents, suspension aids, emulsifying agents,coating agents, cyclodextrins, and/or buffers. Although the dosage couldvary depending on the symptoms, age and body weight of the patient, thenature and severity of the disorder to be treated or prevented, theroute of administration and the form of the drug, in general, a dailydosage of from 0.01 to 3000 mg of the compound is recommended for anadult human patient, and this may be administered in a single dose or individed doses. The amount of active ingredient which can be combinedwith a carrier material to produce a single dosage form will generallybe that amount of the compound which produces a therapeutic effect.

The precise time of administration and/or amount of the composition thatwill yield the most effective results in terms of efficacy of treatmentin a given patient will depend upon the activity, pharmacokinetics, andbioavailability of a particular compound, physiological condition of thepatient (including age, sex, disease type and stage, general physicalcondition, responsiveness to a given dosage, and type of medication),route of administration, etc. However, the above guidelines can be usedas the basis for fine-tuning the treatment, e.g., determining theoptimum time and/or amount of administration, which will require no morethan routine experimentation consisting of monitoring the subject andadjusting the dosage and/or timing.

In certain embodiments, the individual to which the composition isadministered is a mammal such as a human, or a non-human mammal. Whenadministered to an animal, such as a human, the composition or thecompound is preferably administered as a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising, for example, a compound of the invention and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Pharmaceutically acceptablecarriers are well known in the art and include, for example, aqueoussolutions such as water or physiologically buffered saline or othersolvents or vehicles such as glycols, glycerol, oils such as olive oil,or injectable organic esters. In a preferred embodiment, when suchpharmaceutical compositions are for human administration, particularlyfor invasive routes of administration (i.e., routes, such as injectionor implantation, that circumvent transport or diffusion through anepithelial barrier), the aqueous solution is sterile and pyrogen-free,or substantially pyrogen-free. The excipients can be chosen, forexample, to effect delayed release of an agent or to selectively targetone or more cells, tissues or organs. The pharmaceutical composition canbe in dosage unit form such as tablet, capsule (including sprinklecapsule and gelatin capsule), granule, lyophile for reconstitution,powder, solution, syrup, suppository, injection or the like. Thecomposition can also be present in a transdermal delivery system, e.g.,a skin patch. The composition can also be present in a solution suitablefor topical administration, such as an eye drop, through ophthalmicmucous membrane administration or penetration of the corneal epithelium.

A pharmaceutically acceptable carrier can contain physiologicallyacceptable agents that act, for example, to stabilize, increasesolubility or to increase the absorption of a compound such as acompound of the invention. Such physiologically acceptable agentsinclude, for example, carbohydrates, such as glucose, sucrose ordextrans, antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid or glutathione, chelatingagents, low molecular weight proteins or other stabilizers orexcipients. The choice of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,including a physiologically acceptable agent, depends, for example, onthe route of administration of the composition. The preparation orpharmaceutical composition can be a self-emulsifying drug deliverysystem or a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system. Thepharmaceutical composition (preparation) also can be a liposome or otherpolymer matrix, which can have incorporated therein, for example, acompound of the invention. Liposomes, for example, which comprisephospholipids or other lipids, are nontoxic, physiologically acceptableand metabolizable carriers that are relatively simple to make andadminister.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” is employed herein to refer tothose compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are,within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contactwith the tissues of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity,irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication,commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” as used herein means apharmaceutically acceptable material, composition or vehicle, such as aliquid or solid filler, diluent, excipient, solvent or encapsulatingmaterial. Each carrier must be “acceptable” in the sense of beingcompatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and notinjurious to the patient. Some examples of materials which can serve aspharmaceutically acceptable carriers include: (1) sugars, such aslactose, glucose and sucrose; (2) starches, such as corn starch andpotato starch; (3) cellulose, and its derivatives, such as sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and cellulose acetate; (4)powdered tragacanth; (5) malt; (6) gelatin; (7) talc; (8) excipients,such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes; (9) oils, such as peanutoil, cottonseed oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil andsoybean oil; (10) glycols, such as propylene glycol; (11) polyols, suchas glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol and polyethylene glycol; (12) esters,such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; (13) agar; (14) bufferingagents, such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide; (15) alginicacid; (16) pyrogen-free water; (17) isotonic saline; (18) Ringer'ssolution; (19) ethyl alcohol; (20) phosphate buffer solutions; and (21)other non-toxic compatible substances employed in pharmaceuticalformulations. In certain embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions of thepresent invention are non-pyrogenic, i.e., do not induce significanttemperature elevations when administered to a patient.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to the relativelynon-toxic, inorganic and organic acid addition salts of the compounds.These salts can be prepared in situ during the final isolation andpurification of the compounds, or by separately reacting a purifiedcompound in its free base form with a suitable organic or inorganicacid, and isolating the salt thus formed. Representative salts includethe hydrobromide, hydrochloride, sulfate, bisulfate, phosphate, nitrate,acetate, valerate, oleate, palmitate, stearate, laurate, benzoate,lactate, phosphate, tosylate, citrate, maleate, fumarate, succinate,tartrate, naphthylate, mesylate, glucoheptonate, lactobionate,laurylsulphonate salts, and amino acid salts, and the like. Preparationof the crystalline salts is detailed in the Examples, below (See, forexample, Berge et al. (1977) “Pharmaceutical Salts”, J. Pharm. Sci. 66:1-19.).

In other cases, the compounds useful in the methods of the presentinvention may contain one or more acidic functional groups and, thus,are capable of forming pharmaceutically acceptable salts withpharmaceutically acceptable bases. The term “pharmaceutically acceptablesalts” in these instances refers to the relatively non-toxic inorganicand organic base addition salts of a compound. These salts can likewisebe prepared in situ during the final isolation and purification of thecompound, or by separately reacting the purified compound in its freeacid form with a suitable base, such as the hydroxide, carbonate, orbicarbonate of a pharmaceutically acceptable metal cation, with ammonia,or with a pharmaceutically acceptable organic primary, secondary, ortertiary amine. Representative alkali or alkaline earth salts includethe lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and aluminum salts,and the like. Other representative salts include the copper and ironsalts. Representative organic amines useful for the formation of baseaddition salts include ethylamine, diethylamine, ethylenediamine,ethanolamine, diethanolamine, piperazine, and the like (see, forexample, Berge et al., supra).

A pharmaceutical composition (preparation) can be administered to asubject by any of a number of routes of administration including, forexample, orally (for example, drenches as in aqueous or non-aqueoussolutions or suspensions, tablets, capsules (including sprinkle capsulesand gelatin capsules), boluses, powders, granules, pastes forapplication to the tongue); absorption through the oral mucosa (e.g.,sublingually or buccally); anally, rectally or vaginally (for example,as a pessary, cream or foam); parenterally (including intramuscularly,intravenously, subcutaneously or intrathecally as, for example, asterile solution or suspension); nasally; intraperitoneally;subcutaneously; transdermally (for example as a patch applied to theskin); and topically (for example, as a cream, ointment or spray appliedto the skin, or as an eye drop). The compound may also be formulated forinhalation. In certain embodiments, a compound may be simply dissolvedor suspended in sterile water. Details of appropriate routes ofadministration and compositions suitable for same can be found in, forexample, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,110,973, 5,763,493, 5,731,000, 5,541,231,5,427,798, 5,358,970 and 4,172,896, as well as in patents cited therein.

The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form andmay be prepared by any methods well known in the art of pharmacy. Theamount of active ingredient which can be combined with a carriermaterial to produce a single dosage form will vary depending upon thehost being treated, the particular mode of administration. The amount ofactive ingredient that can be combined with a carrier material toproduce a single dosage form will generally be that amount of thecompound which produces a therapeutic effect. Generally, out of onehundred percent, this amount will range from about 1 percent to aboutninety-nine percent of active ingredient, preferably from about 5percent to about 70 percent, most preferably from about 10 percent toabout 30 percent.

Methods of preparing these formulations or compositions include the stepof bringing into association an active compound, such as a compound ofthe invention, with the carrier and, optionally, one or more accessoryingredients. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly andintimately bringing into association a compound of the present inventionwith liquid carriers, or finely divided solid carriers, or both, andthen, if necessary, shaping the product.

Formulations of the invention suitable for oral administration may be inthe form of capsules (including sprinkle capsules and gelatin capsules),cachets, pills, tablets, lozenges (using a flavored basis, usuallysucrose and acacia or tragacanth), lyophile, powders, granules, or as asolution or a suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid, or as anoil-in-water or water-in-oil liquid emulsion, or as an elixir or syrup,or as pastilles (using an inert base, such as gelatin and glycerin, orsucrose and acacia) and/or as mouthwashes and the like, each containinga predetermined amount of a compound of the present invention as anactive ingredient. Compositions or compounds may also be administered asa bolus, electuary or paste.

To prepare solid dosage forms for oral administration capsules(including sprinkle capsules and gelatin capsules), tablets, pills,dragees, powders, granules and the like), the active ingredient is mixedwith one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, such as sodiumcitrate or dicalcium phosphate, and/or any of the following: (1) fillersor extenders, such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol,and/or silicic acid; (2) binders, such as, for example,carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,sucrose and/or acacia; (3) humectants, such as glycerol; (4)disintegrating agents, such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato ortapioca starch, alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate;(5) solution retarding agents, such as paraffin; (6) absorptionaccelerators, such as quaternary ammonium compounds; (7) wetting agents,such as, for example, cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate; (8)absorbents, such as kaolin and bentonite clay; (9) lubricants, such atalc, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols,sodium lauryl sulfate, and mixtures thereof, (10) complexing agents,such as, modified and unmodified cyclodextrins; and (11) coloringagents. In the case of capsules (including sprinkle capsules and gelatincapsules), tablets and pills, the pharmaceutical compositions may alsocomprise buffering agents. Solid compositions of a similar type may alsobe employed as fillers in soft and hard-filled gelatin capsules usingsuch excipients as lactose or milk sugars, as well as high molecularweight polyethylene glycols and the like.

A tablet may be made by compression or molding, optionally with one ormore accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared usingbinder (for example, gelatin, microcrystalline cellulose, orhydroxypropylmethyl cellulose), lubricant, inert diluent, preservative,disintegrant (for example, sodium starch glycolate or cross-linkedsodium carboxymethyl cellulose), surface-active or dispersing agent.Molded tablets may be made by molding in a suitable machine a mixture ofthe powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent.

The tablets, and other solid dosage forms of the pharmaceuticalcompositions, such as dragees, capsules (including sprinkle capsules andgelatin capsules), pills and granules, may optionally be scored orprepared with coatings and shells, such as enteric coatings and othercoatings well known in the pharmaceutical-formulating art. They may alsobe formulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of the activeingredient therein using, for example, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose invarying proportions to provide the desired release profile, otherpolymer matrices, liposomes and/or microspheres. They may be sterilizedby, for example, filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, or byincorporating sterilizing agents in the form of sterile solidcompositions that can be dissolved in sterile water, or some othersterile injectable medium immediately before use. These compositions mayalso optionally contain opacifying agents and may be of a compositionthat they release the active ingredient(s) only, or preferentially, in acertain portion of the gastrointestinal tract, optionally, in a delayedmanner. Examples of embedding compositions that can be used includepolymeric substances and waxes. The active ingredient can also be inmicro-encapsulated form, if appropriate, with one or more of theabove-described excipients.

Liquid dosage forms useful for oral administration includepharmaceutically acceptable emulsions, lyophiles for reconstitution,microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups and elixirs. In additionto the active ingredient, the liquid dosage forms may contain inertdiluents commonly used in the art, such as, for example, water or othersolvents, cyclodextrins and derivatives thereof, solubilizing agents andemulsifiers, such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate,ethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol,1,3-butylene glycol, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut, corn,germ, olive, castor and sesame oils), glycerol, tetrahydrofuryl alcohol,polyethylene glycols and fatty acid esters of sorbitan, and mixturesthereof.

Besides inert diluents, the compositions of the present invention canalso include adjuvants such as wetting agents, lubricants, emulsifyingand suspending agents such as sodium lauryl sulfate and magnesiumstearate, or sweetening, flavoring, coloring, perfuming, preservative,or anti-oxidant agents.

Suspensions, in addition to the active compounds, may contain suspendingagents as, for example, ethoxylated isostearyl alcohols, polyoxyethylenesorbitol and sorbitan esters, microcrystalline cellulose, aluminummetahydroxide, bentonite, agar-agar and tragacanth, and mixturesthereof.

Formulations of the pharmaceutical compositions for rectal, vaginal, orurethral administration may be presented as a suppository, which may beprepared by mixing one or more active compounds with one or moresuitable nonirritating excipients or carriers comprising, for example,cocoa butter, polyethylene glycol, a suppository wax or a salicylate,and which is solid at room temperature, but liquid at body temperatureand, therefore, will melt in the rectum or vaginal cavity and releasethe active compound.

Formulations of the pharmaceutical compositions for administration tothe mouth may be presented as a mouthwash, or an oral spray, or an oralointment.

Alternatively or additionally, compositions can be formulated fordelivery via a catheter, stent, wire, or other intraluminal device.Delivery via such devices may be especially useful for delivery to thebladder, urethra, ureter, rectum, or intestine.

Formulations which are suitable for vaginal administration also includepessaries, tampons, vaginal rings for sustained-release (e.g., polymericvaginal rings) creams, gels, pastes, foams or spray formulationscontaining such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate.

Dosage forms for the topical or transdermal administration includepowders, sprays, ointments, pastes, creams, lotions, gels, solutions,patches and inhalants. The active compound may be mixed under sterileconditions with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and with anypreservatives, buffers, or propellants that may be required.

The ointments, pastes, creams and gels may contain, in addition to anactive compound, excipients, such as animal and vegetable fats, oils,waxes, paraffins, starch, tragacanth, cellulose derivatives,polyethylene glycols, silicones, bentonites, silicic acid, talc and zincoxide, or mixtures thereof.

Powders and sprays can contain, in addition to an active compound,excipients such as lactose, talc, silicic acid, aluminum hydroxide,calcium silicates and polyamide powder, or mixtures of these substances.Sprays can additionally contain customary propellants, such aschlorofluorohydrocarbons and volatile unsubstituted hydrocarbons, suchas butane and propane.

The compounds described herein can be alternatively administered byaerosol. This is accomplished by preparing an aqueous aerosol, liposomalpreparation, or solid particles containing the composition. A nonaqueous(e.g., fluorocarbon propellant) suspension could be used. Sonicnebulizers are preferred because they minimize exposing the agent toshear, which can result in degradation of the compound.

Ordinarily, an aqueous aerosol is made by formulating an aqueoussolution or suspension of the agent together with conventionalpharmaceutically acceptable carriers and stabilizers. The carriers andstabilizers vary with the requirements of the particular composition,but typically include nonionic surfactants (Tweens, Pluronics, sorbitanesters, lecithin, Cremophors), pharmaceutically acceptable co-solventssuch as polyethylene glycol, innocuous proteins like serum albumin,oleic acid, amino acids such as glycine, buffers, salts, sugars, orsugar alcohols. Aerosols generally are prepared from isotonic solutions.

Transdermal patches have the added advantage of providing controlleddelivery of a compound of the present invention to the body. Such dosageforms can be made by dissolving or dispersing the active compound in theproper medium. Absorption enhancers can also be used to increase theflux of the compound across the skin. The rate of such flux can becontrolled by either providing a rate controlling membrane or dispersingthe compound in a polymer matrix or gel.

Ophthalmic formulations, eye ointments, powders, solutions and the like,are also contemplated as being within the scope of this invention.Exemplary ophthalmic formulations are described in U.S. Publication Nos.2005/0080056, 2005/0059744, 2005/0031697 and 2005/004074 and U.S. Pat.No. 6,583,124, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference. If desired, liquid ophthalmic formulations have propertiessimilar to that of lacrimal fluids, aqueous humor or vitreous humor orare compatible with such fluids. Ophthalmic routes of administrationinclude local administration (e.g., topical administration, such as eyedrops, or administration via an implant).

The phrases “parenteral administration” and “administered parenterally”as used herein means modes of administration other than enteral andtopical administration, usually by injection, and includes, withoutlimitation, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarterial, intrathecal,intracapsular, intraorbital, intracardiac, intradermal, intraperitoneal,transtracheal, subcutaneous, subcuticular, intraarticular, subcapsular,subarachnoid, intraspinal, intravitreal and intrastemal injection andinfusion. Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for parenteraladministration comprise one or more active compounds in combination withone or more pharmaceutically acceptable sterile isotonic aqueous ornonaqueous solutions, dispersions, suspensions or emulsions, or sterilepowders which may be reconstituted into sterile inj ectable solutions ordispersions just prior to use, which may contain antioxidants, buffers,bacteriostats, solutes which render the formulation isotonic with theblood of the intended recipient or suspending or thickening agents.

The phrases “systemic administration,” “administered systemically,”“peripheral administration” and “administered peripherally” as usedherein mean the administration of a ligand, drug, or other materialother than directly into the central nervous system, such that it entersthe patient's system and thus, is subject to metabolism and other likeprocesses, for example, subcutaneous administration.

Examples of suitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers that may beemployed in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention includewater, ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propylene glycol,polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof,vegetable oils, such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters, suchas ethyl oleate. Proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by theuse of coating materials, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of therequired particle size in the case of dispersions, and by the use ofsurfactants.

These compositions may also contain adjuvants such as preservatives,wetting agents, emulsifying agents and dispersing agents. Prevention ofthe action of microorganisms may be ensured by the inclusion of variousantibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, paraben,chlorobutanol, phenol sorbic acid, metacresol, benzoic acid and thelike. It may also be desirable to include isotonic agents, such assugars, sodium chloride, and the like into the compositions. Inaddition, prolonged absorption of the injectable pharmaceutical form maybe brought about by the inclusion of agents that delay absorption suchas aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

In some cases, in order to prolong the effect of a drug, it is desirableto slow the absorption of the drug from subcutaneous, intravitreal orintramuscular injection. This may be accomplished by the use of a liquidsuspension of crystalline or amorphous material having poor watersolubility. The rate of absorption of the drug then depends upon itsrate of dissolution, which, in turn, may depend upon crystal size andcrystalline form. Alternatively, delayed absorption of a parenterallyadministered drug form is accomplished by dissolving or suspending thedrug in an oil vehicle.

Injectable depot forms are made by forming microencapsulated matrices ofthe subject compounds in biodegradable polymers such aspolylactide-polyglycolide. Depending on the ratio of drug to polymer,and the nature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of drugrelease can be controlled. Examples of other biodegradable polymersinclude poly(orthoesters) and poly(anhydrides). Depot injectableformulations are also prepared by entrapping the drug in liposomes ormicroemulsions that are compatible with body tissue.

The preparations of agents may be given orally, parenterally, topically,or rectally. They are, of course, given by forms suitable for eachadministration route. For example, they are administered in tablets orcapsule form, by injection, inhalation, eye lotion, ointment,suppository, infusion; topically by lotion or ointment; and rectally bysuppositories. Oral administration is preferred.

For use in the methods of this invention, active compounds can be givenper se or as a pharmaceutical composition containing, for example, 0.1to 99.5% (more preferably, 0.5 to 90%) of active ingredient incombination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Methods of introduction may also be provided by rechargeable orbiodegradable devices. Various slow release polymeric devices have beendeveloped and tested in vivo in recent years for the controlled deliveryof drugs, including proteinacious biopharmaceuticals. A variety ofbiocompatible polymers (including hydrogels), including bothbiodegradable and non-degradable polymers, can be used to form animplant for the sustained release of a compound at a particular targetsite.

These compounds may be administered to humans and other animals fortherapy by any suitable route of administration, including orally,nasally, as by, for example, a spray, rectally, intravaginally,parenterally, intracistemally, and topically, as by powders, ointmentsor drops, including buccally and sublingually.

Regardless of the route of administration selected, the compounds, whichmay be used in a suitable hydrated form, and/or the pharmaceuticalcompositions of the present invention, are formulated intopharmaceutically acceptable dosage forms by conventional methods knownto those of skill in the art.

Actual dosage levels of the active ingredients in the pharmaceuticalcompositions may be varied so as to obtain an amount of the activeingredient that is effective to achieve the desired therapeutic responsefor a particular patient, composition, and mode of administration,without being toxic to the patient.

The selected dosage level will depend upon a variety of factorsincluding the activity of the particular compound or combination ofcompounds employed, or the ester, salt or amide thereof, the route ofadministration, the time of administration, the rate of metabolism orexcretion of the particular compound(s) being employed, the duration ofthe treatment, other drugs, compounds and/or materials used incombination with the particular compound(s) employed, the age, sex,weight, condition, general health and prior medical history of thepatient being treated, and like factors well known in the medical arts.

A physician or veterinarian having ordinary skill in the art can readilydetermine and prescribe the therapeutically effective amount of thepharmaceutical composition required. For example, the physician orveterinarian could start doses of the pharmaceutical composition orcompound at levels lower than that required in order to achieve thedesired therapeutic effect and gradually increase the dosage until thedesired effect is achieved. A “therapeutically effective amount” of acompound with respect to the subject method of treatment, refers to anamount of the compound(s) in a preparation which, when administered aspart of a desired dosage regimen (to a mammal, preferably a human)alleviates a symptom, ameliorates a condition, or slows the onset ofdisease conditions according to clinically acceptable standards for thedisorder or condition to be treated or the cosmetic purpose, e.g., at areasonable benefit/risk ratio applicable to any medical treatment. It isgenerally understood that the effective amount of the compound will varyaccording to the weight, sex, age, and medical history of the subject.Other factors which influence the effective amount may include, but arenot limited to, the severity of the patient's condition, the disorderbeing treated, the stability of the compound, and, if desired, anothertype of therapeutic agent being administered with the compound of theinvention. A larger total dose can be delivered by multipleadministrations of the agent. Methods to determine efficacy and dosageare known to those skilled in the art (Isselbacher et al. (1996)Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 13 ed., 1814-1882, hereinincorporated by reference).

In general, a suitable daily dose of an active compound used in thecompositions and methods of the invention will be that amount of thecompound that is the lowest dose effective to produce a therapeuticeffect or the maximally tolerated dose. Such an effective dose willgenerally depend upon the factors described above.

If desired, the effective daily dose of the active compound may beadministered as one, two, three, four, five, six or more sub-dosesadministered separately at appropriate intervals throughout the day,optionally, in unit dosage forms. In certain embodiments of the presentinvention, the active compound may be administered two or three timesdaily. In preferred embodiments, the active compound will beadministered once daily.

The patient receiving this treatment is any animal in need, includingprimates, in particular humans, and other mammals such as equines,cattle, swine and sheep; and poultry and pets in general.

In certain embodiments, the invention relates to any one of theaforementioned methods, wherein the compound is administered to themammal chronically. In certain embodiments, chronic administration orchronic dosing takes place over a period of time. In certainembodiments, the period of time is greater than about 2 weeks, greaterthan about 3 weeks, greater than about 4 weeks, greater than about 5weeks, greater than about 6 weeks, greater than about 7 weeks, greaterthan about 8 weeks, greater than about 9 weeks, or greater than about 10weeks. In certain embodiments, a chronic dose is about 0.1 mg/kg/day,about 0.2 mg/kg/day, about 0.3 mg/kg/day, about 0.4 mg/kg/day, about 0.5mg/kg/day, about 0.6 mg/kg/day, about 0.7 mg/kg/day, about 0.8mg/kg/day, about 0.9 mg/kg/day, about 1 mg/kg/day, about 1.5 mg/kg/day,about 2 mg/kg/day, about 2.5 mg/kg/day, about 3 mg/kg/day, about 3.5mg/kg/day, about 4 mg/kg/day, about 4.5 mg/kg/day, or about 5 mg/kg/dayover a period of time. In certain embodiments, a chronic dose is about0.5 mole/kg/day, about 1 mole/kg/day, about 1.5 mole/kg/day, about 2mole/kg/day, about 2.5 mole/kg/day, about 3 mole/kg/day, about 3.5mole/kg/day, about 4 mole/kg/day, about 4.5 mole/kg/day, about 5mole/kg/day, about 5.5 mole/kg/day, about 6 mole/kg/day, about 6.5mole/kg/day, about 7 mole/kg/day, about 7.5 mole/kg/day, about 8mole/kg/day, about 8.5 mole/kg/day, about 9 mole/kg/day, about 9.5mole/kg/day, about 10 mole/kg/day, about 11 mole/kg/day, about 12mole/kg/day, about 13 mole/kg/day, about 14 mole/kg/day, or about 15mole/kg/day over a period of time.

In certain embodiments, compounds of the invention may be used alone orconjointly administered with another type of therapeutic agent. As usedherein, the phrase “conjoint administration” refers to any form ofadministration of two or more different therapeutic compounds such thatthe second compound is administered while the previously administeredtherapeutic compound is still effective in the body (e.g., the twocompounds are simultaneously effective in the patient, which may includesynergistic effects of the two compounds). For example, the differenttherapeutic compounds can be administered either in the same formulationor in a separate formulation, either concomitantly or sequentially. Incertain embodiments, the different therapeutic compounds can beadministered within one hour, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours, 72hours, or a week of one another. Thus, an individual who receives suchtreatment can benefit from a combined effect of different therapeuticcompounds.

This invention includes the use of pharmaceutically acceptable salts ofcompounds of the invention in the compositions and methods of thepresent invention. In certain embodiments, contemplated salts of theinvention include, but are not limited to, alkyl, dialkyl, trialkyl ortetra-alkyl ammonium salts. In certain embodiments, contemplated saltsof the invention include, but are not limited to, L-arginine,benenthamine, benzathine, betaine, calcium hydroxide, choline, deanol,diethanolamine, diethylamine, 2-(diethylamino)ethanol, ethanolamine,ethylenediamine, N-methylglucamine, hydrabamine, 1H-imidazole, lithium,L-lysine, magnesium, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine, piperazine,potassium, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine, sodium, triethanolamine,tromethamine, and zinc salts. In certain embodiments, contemplated saltsof the invention include, but are not limited to, Na, Ca, K, Mg, Zn, Cu,Fe or other metal salts.

The pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts can also exist asvarious solvates, such as with water, methanol, ethanol,dimethylformamide, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, acetone, ethylacetate, cyclopentyl methyl ether and the like. Mixtures of suchsolvates can also be prepared. The source of such solvate can be fromthe solvent of crystallization, inherent in the solvent of preparationor crystallization, or adventitious to such solvent.

Wetting agents, emulsifiers and lubricants, such as sodium laurylsulfate and magnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, releaseagents, coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents,preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the compositions.

Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable antioxidants include: (1)water-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid, cysteinehydrochloride, sodium bisulfate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfiteand the like; (2) oil-soluble antioxidants, such as ascorbyl palmitate,butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT),lecithin, propyl gallate, alpha-tocopherol, and the like; and (3)metal-chelating agents, such as citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraaceticacid (EDTA), sorbitol, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like.

The invention now being generally described, it will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the following examples which are includedmerely for purposes of illustration of certain aspects and embodimentsof the present invention, and are not intended to limit the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1. Synthetic Scheme

Synthesis of the compounds of the invention may involve a couplingreaction using a coupling reagent, such as HATU, etc, followed byde-protection when necessary, using, for example a reagent such as BCl₃or HCl-PhB(OH)₂ method when necessary. Some of the target compounds werepurified by RP-HPLC using Varian semi-preparative system with aDiscovery C18 569226-U RP-HPLC column. The mobile phase was typicallymade by mixing water (0.1% TFA) with acetonitrile (0.08% TFA) ingradient concentration. The compound code, structure andcharacterization are shown in Table 1.

Exampled Synthetic Procedures of Gly(1-adamantyl)-boroPro (ARI-5544 or3102A-2C)

Synthesis of Gly(1-adamantyl)-boroPro (ARI-5544)

A solution of 4 N HCl (g) in dioxane (5 mL, 20 mmol) was added toCompound 1 (0.86 g, 1.6 mmol) under dryice/acetone cooling and then wasallowed to stir for 3 hrs at room temperature. The reaction mixture wasconcentrated under reduced pressure and then co-evaporated with ethylether (3×15 mL) to afford (+)-pinandiol protected ARI-5544) which wasdissolved with a pre-cooled 0.08 N HCl (10 mL). Then, tert-Butyl methylether (MTBE) (10 mL) and phenylboronic acid (0.22 g, 1.7 mmol) wereadded. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours and theaqueous phase was separated. The MTBE layer was extracted with 0.08 NHCl (5 mL) and the combined water extractions were washed with ether(3×10 ml). Concentrated the aqueous phase on rotovap (<30° C.) and thecrude product was purified by preparative HPLC (eluents: solvent A, 0.1%TFA in water; solvent B, 0.08% TFA in acetonitrile). Collected thedesired fractions and concentrated to approximately 10 mL and freeze dryto give Compound ARI-5544 as a TFA salt (0.45 g, 67% over two steps). ¹HNMR (D20): δ 1.60-1.75 (m, 14H), 1.85-2.15 (m, 6H), 3.07 (dd, J=11.1,6.9 Hz, 1H), 3.46-3.52 (m, 1H), 3.76 (t, J=9.4 Hz, 1H), 3.91 (s, 1H). MS(ESI+) for C₁₆H₂₇BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity): 577.5 ([2×(M−H2O)+H]+, 76),307.4 2 ([M+H]+, 100), 289.4 ([M−H2O+H]+, 24).

Exampled Synthetic Procedures of ARI-3102C

Synthesis of 3102C

Starting from N-Boc-L-3-hydroxy-1-Adamantyl-Glycine with the similarcoupling reaction described above for the preparation of 1, compound 2was prepared. This product (0.28 g, 0.5 mmol) was dissolved in drydichloromethane (5.0 mL) and cooled to −78° C. while BCl₃ (1 M indichloromethane, 5.0 mL) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at−78° C. for 1 hr, brought to room temperature and then concentrated invacuo. The residue was partitioned between ether (5 mL) and water (5mL). The aqueous layer was washed twice with more ether (2×5 mL),concentrated in vacuo and further purified by semipreparative RP-HPLC togive 3102C as a TFA salt (0.13 g, 55%).

Exampled Synthetic Procedures of ARI-4175

The synthetic scheme for the preparation of ARI-4175 is summarized inthe scheme below. Briefly, commercially available N-Boc protectedunnatural amino acid N-Boc-L-tert-leucine 1 (CAS NO 62965-35-9) wascoupled to L-boroPro-pn 2 ((R)-BoroPro-(+)-Pinanediol-HCl, CAS NO147208-69-3) using HATU to render a protected dipeptide boronateBoc-Tle-boroPro-pn 3. After removal of the (+)-pinanediol and N-Bocprotecting groups via two steps process, the crude product was purifiedby reverse-phase HPLC to yield the target compound ARI-4175 as a HClsalt.

Experimental Section Synthesis of Compound 3

To a stirred solution of N-Boc-L-tert-leucine (925 mg, 4 mmol) inanhydrous DMF (20 mL) was added N, N-diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA, 1.5mL, 8.5 mmol), HATU (1.6 g, 4.2 mmol) and L-boroPro-pn.HCl (1.2 g, 4.2mmol) sequentially at 00 under nitrogen. The cooling bath was removedand the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hr. Thesolvent was then removed in vacuo under 30° C. The residue was dissolvedin ethyl acetate (200 mL), washed successively with KHSO₄ (0.1 N, 3×40mL), aq. NaHCO₃(5%, 3×40 mL), brine (2×20 mL) and dried with MgSO₄,filtered. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the obtained crudeproduct was used directly in the next step.

Synthesis of Compound 4

A 4M solution of hydrogen chloride in dioxane (10 mL, 10 eq.) was addedto a suspension of Compound 3 obtained above in anhydrous dioxane (5 mL)while cooled at 0 to 5° C. After the addition, the reaction mixture isstirred for 3 hours at ambient temperature, then concentrated in vacuo.The resulting solid is suspended in ethyl ether (10 mL) and filtered.The solid is washed with ether and dried under vacuum to give Compound 4which was used directly in the next step.

Synthesis of ARI-4175

The Compound 4 obtained above was dissolved into a mixture of tert-butylmethyl ether (MTBE, 20 mL) and 0.01 N HCl (20 mL). PhB(OH)₂ (0.61 g, 5mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred vigorously for 2 to 4 hr atambient temperature. After an in-process test for completion of reactionby HPLC/MS analysis the aqueous (product layer) is retained, and theorganic layer is extracted with water (10 mL). The combined water layersare washed with ethyl ether (2×10 mL), and the aqueous layer isconcentrated in vacuo and then was purified by preparative HPLC (Mobilephase A: 5 mM HCl in water; Mobile phase B: 4 mM HCl in acetonitrile)and lyophilized to afford the ARI-4175 as a white powder (620 mg, totalyield was 58% over 3 steps).

Other Exemplary Synthetic Schemes Example. General Synthetic Scheme

Synthesis of the compounds of the invention may involve a couplingreaction using a coupling reagent, such as HATU, etc, followed byde-protection when necessary, using, for example a reagent such as BCl₃or HCl-PhB(OH)₂ method when necessary. Some of the target compounds werepurified by RP-HPLC using Varian semi-preparative system with aDiscovery C18 569226-U RP-HPLC column. The mobile phase was typicallymade by mixing water (0.1% TFA) with acetonitrile (0.08% TFA) ingradient concentration. The compound code, structure andcharacterization are shown in Table 1.

Exampled Synthetic Procedures of Gly(1-Adamantyl)-boroPro (ARI-5544 or3102A-2C)

Synthesis of Gly(1-adamantyl)-boroPro (ARI-5544)

A solution of 4 N HCl (g) in dioxane (5 mL, 20 mmol) was added toCompound 1 (0.86 g, 1.6 mmol) under dryice/acetone cooling and then wasallowed to stir for 3 hrs at room temperature. The reaction mixture wasconcentrated under reduced pressure and then co-evaporated with ethylether (3×15 mL) to afford (+)-pinandiol protected ARI-5544) which wasdissolved with a pre-cooled 0.08 N HCl (10 mL). Then, tert-Butyl methylether (MTBE) (10 mL) and phenylboronic acid (0.22 g, 1.7 mmol) wereadded. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours and theaqueous phase was separated. The MTBE layer was extracted with 0.08 NHCl (5 mL) and the combined water extractions were washed with ether(3×10 mL). Concentrated the aqueous phase on rotovap (<30° C.) and thecrude product was purified by preparative HPLC (eluents: solvent A, 0.1%TFA in water; solvent B, 0.08% TFA in acetonitrile). Collected thedesired fractions and concentrated to approximately 10 mL and freeze dryto give Compound ARI-5544 as a TFA salt (0.45 g, 67% over two steps). ¹HNMR (D₂O): δ 1.60-1.75 (m, 14H), 1.85-2.15 (m, 6H), 3.07 (dd, J=11.1,6.9 Hz, 1H), 3.46-3.52 (m, 1H), 3.76 (t, J=9.4 Hz, 1H), 3.91 (s, 1H). MS(ESI+) for C₁₆H₂₇BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity): 577.5 ([2×(M−H₂O)+H]+, 76),307.4 2 ([M+H]+, 100), 289.4 ([M−H2O+H]+, 24).

Exampled Synthetic Procedures of 3102C

Synthesis of 3102C

Starting from N-Boc-L-3-hydroxy-1-Adamantyl-Glycine with the similarcoupling reaction described above for the preparation of 1, compound 2was prepared. This product (0.28 g, 0.5 mmol) was dissolved in drydichloromethane (5.0 mL) and cooled to −78° C. while BCl₃ (1 M indichloromethane, 5.0 mL) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred at−78° C. for 1 hr, brought to room temperature and then concentrated invacuo. The residue was partitioned between ether (5 mL) and water (5mL). The aqueous layer was washed twice with more ether (2×5 mL),concentrated in vacuo and further purified by semipreparative RP-HPLC togive 3102C as a TFA salt (0.13 g, 55%).

TABLE 1 Compounds code, structures, and chemical characterizationCompound Structure Characterization ARI-5544 (3102A-2C)

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 1.60-1.75 (m, 13H), 1.85- 2.15 (m, 6H), 3.07 (dd, J =11.1, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 3.46-3.52 (m, 1H), 3.76 (t, J = 9.4 Hz, 1H), 3.91 (s,1H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₆H₂₇BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity): 577.5 ([2 × (M −H₂O) + H]⁺, 76), 307.4 ([M + H]⁺, 100), 289.4 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 24).3102A-2D

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 1.56-1.75 (m, 13H), 1.95- 2.10 (m, 6H), 3.05-3.10 (m,1H), 3.50-3.60 (m, 1H), 3.65-3.75 (m, 1H), 3.89 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) forC₁₆H₂₇BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity): 577.1 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 65), 289.1([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 100). 3102A

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 1.43-1.80 (m, 13H), 1.83- 1.92 (m, 1H), 2.08-2.16 (m,2H), 2.27 (s, 2H), 3.08 (dd, J = 11.2, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 3.44- 3.56 (m, 1H),3.76 (t, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 4.03 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₆H₂₇BN₂O₄ m/z(rel intensity): 609.4 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 15), 323.2 ([M + H]⁺, 50),305.2 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 100). 3102A-2B

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 1.30-1.80 (m, 13 H), 1.85- 2.10 (m, 3H), 2.24 (s, 2H),3.04-3.08 (m, 1H), 3.50-3.60 (m, 1H), 3.65-3.75 (m, 1H), 4.02 (s, 1H).MS (ESI+) for C₁₆H₂₇BN₂O₄ m/z (rel intensity): 609.3 ([2 × (M − H₂O) +H]⁺, 21), 323.2 ([M + H]⁺, 7), 305.1 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 100), 3102C

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 1.54-1.80 (m, 7H), 1.85- 1.95 (m, 1H), 2.00-2.21 (m,8H), 2.27 (s, 2H), 3.09 (dd, J = 11.2, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.40- 3.55 (m, 1H),3.77 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H), 4.03 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₆H₂₆BClN₂O₃ m/z(rel intensity): 341.2 ([M + H]⁺, 50), 323.3 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 100).8596-1

¹H NMR (D₂O) δ 1.18 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 3H), 1.61-1.76 (m, 12H), 2.04 (s,3H), 2.88 (q, J = 7.3 Hz, 1H), 3.57 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₄H₂₅BN₂O₃m/z (rel intensity): 525.4 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 20), 263.2 ([M − H₂O +H]⁺, 100). 4268

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 1.29-2.09 (m, 10H), 3.05- 3.15 (m, 1H), 3.45-3.60 (m,1H), 3.70-3.80 (m, 1H), 4.49 (d, J = 11.5 Hz, 1H). MS (ESI+) forC₉H₁₈BFN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity): 429.1 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 100),214.9 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 80). 3150

¹H NMR (D₂O plus CD₃CN): δ 1.80-2.30 (m, 8H), 2.90-3.00 (m, 1H),3.70-3.85 (m, 2H), 5.00-5.10 (m, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₉H₁₃BF₆N₂O₃ m/z(rel intensity): 608.1 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 100), 305.1 ([M − H₂O +H]⁺, 80). 4175CH

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 1.09 (s, 3H), 1.40-1.75 (m, 11H), 1.80-1.95 (m, 1H),2.00-2.15 (m, 2H), 3.06 (dd, J = 11.5, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.47- 3.56 (m, 1H),3.76-3.82 (m, 1H), 4.04 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₃H₂₅BN₂O₃ m/z (relintensity): 501.5 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 100), 269.3 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺,50). 4175CP

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 0.95 (s, 3H), 1.30-1.80 (m, 10H), 1.95-2.05 (m, 2H),2.95-3.05 (m, 1H), 3.35-3.70 (m, 2H), 4.08 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) forC₁₂H₂₃BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity): 473.2 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 34), 237.1([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 100). 41752CP-DL

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 0.97 (s, 3H), 1.30-1.60 (m, 9H), 1.90-2.00 (m, 3H),2.95-3.05 (m, 1H), 3.30-3.60 (m, 2H), 4.06 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) forC₁₂H₂₃BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity): 473.2 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 66), 237.1([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 100). 4271

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 1.25-1.50 (m, 6H), 1.25- 1.50 (m, 6H), 1.65-1.95 (m,2H), 2.00-2.10 (m, 2H), 3.00-3.10 (m, 1H), 3.40-3.55 (m, 1H), 3.85-3.95(m, 1H), 4.17 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₉H₁₉BN₂O₄ m/z (rel intensity):425.1 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 100), 212.8 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 94). 4949-1

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 0.76-0.84 (m, 1H), 1.15- 1.25 (m, 1H), 1.36-1.45 (m,2H), 1.75-1.81 (m, 1H), 1.98-2.18 (m, 3H), 3.12 (t, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H),3.50-3.70 (m, 2H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₀H₁₆BF₃N₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity):525.2 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 56), 263.1 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 100). 4949-2

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 1.15-1.23 (m, 1H), 1.36 (s. 3H), 1.68-2.03 (m, 2H),2.12-2.15 (m, 2H), 3.13 (t, J = 9.3 Hz, 1H), 3.47-3.56 (m, 1H),3.72-3.78 (m, 1H), 4.86 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₀H₁₆BF₃N₂O₃ m/z (relintensity): 525.2 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 50), 281.1 ([M + H]⁺, 100),263.1 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 26). 4266

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 0.52-0.69 (m, 1H), 0.70- 0.85 (m, 3H), 1.15-1.25 (m,1H), 1.69-1.75 (m, 1H), 1.90-2.00 (m, 1H), 2.05-2.15 (m, 2H), 3.06 (dd,J = 10.9, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 3.50- 3.60 (m, 1H), 3.65-3.75 (m, 1H), 3.84 (d, J= 9.5 Hz, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₉H₁₇BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity): 389.2 ([2 ×(M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 100), 195.1 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 89). 4365

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 1.70-2.10 (m, 10H), 2.75- 2.85 (m, 1H), 2.90-3.05 (m,1H), 3.45-3.55 (m, 1H), 3.65-3.75 (m, 1H), 4.15-4.25 (m, 1H). MS (ESI+)for C₁₀H₁₉BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity): 417.2 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 58),209.0 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 100). 4367

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 0.50-0.95 (m, 4H), 1.05 (s. 3H), 1.65-1.75 (m, 1H),1.80-1.95 (m, 1H), 2.00-2.10 (m, 2H), 3.00-3.10 (m, 1H), 3.40- 3.55 (m,1H), 3.60-3.70 (m, 2H), 3.81 (s, 1H)> MS (ESI+) for C₁₀H₁₉BN₂O₃ m/z (relintensity): 417.2 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 87), 227.1 ([M + H]⁺, 45),209.0 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 89). 4367DL

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 0.35-0.65 (m, 3H), 070- 0.85 (m, 1H), 0.99 (s, 1H), 1.09(s, 3H), 1.65- 1.75 (m, 1H), 1.80-2.10 (m, 3H), 3.00-3.10 (m, 1H),3.40-3.55 (m, 1H), 3.60-3.75 (m, 1H), 4.01 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) forC₁₀H₁₉BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity): 417.2 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 70), 209.0([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 100). 4614C

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 1.40 (s, 3H), 1.49 (s, 3H), 1.71-1.79 (m, 1H), 1.93-2.00(m, 1H), 2.10- 2.17 (m, 2H), 2.82 (s, 1H), 3.05-3.15 (m, 1H), 3.53-3.85(m, 2H), 4.31 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₁H₁₉BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity):441.4 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]+ 46), 221.2 ([M- H20 + H]+, 100). 9678

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 0.70-0.85 (m, 6H), 0.90 (s. 3H), 1.20-1.50 (m, 4H),1.55-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.85-2.10 (m, 3H), 2.95-3.05 (m, 1H), 3.40- 3.50 (m,1H), 3.70-3.80 (m, 1H), 4.05 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₂H₂₅BN₂O₃ m/z (relintensity): 477.4 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 100), 257.2 ([M + H]⁺, 50),239.3 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 91). 8684-1

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 0.85-1.05 (m, 9H), 1.35- 1.45 (m, 2H), 1.60-1.80 (m,1H), 1.80-2.00 (m, 1H), 2.05-2.15 (m, 2H), 3.05-3.10 (m, 1H), 3.45-3.55(m, 1H), 3.75-3.85 (m, 1H), 4.10 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₁H₂₃BN₂O₃ m/z(rel intensity): 449.2 ([2 × (M − H₂O) + H]⁺, 69), 243.2 ([M + H]⁺, 30),225.2 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 100). 8684-2

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 0.80-1.10 (m, 9H), 1.20- 1.40 (m, 4H), 1.65-1.80 (m,1H), 1.90-2.10 (m, 3H), 3.05-3.15 (m, 1H), 3.50-3.70 (m, 2H), 4.05 (s,1H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₂H₂₅BN₂O₂ m/z (rel intensity): 477.4 ([2 × (M −H₂O) + H]⁺, 33), 257.2 ([M + H]⁺, 23), 239.2 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 100).8684-3

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 1.30 (s, 3H), 1.35 (s. 3H), 1.80-1.95 (m, 4H), 1.95-2.10(m, 1H), 2.15- 2.25 (m, 2H), 3.15-3.25 (m, 1H), 3.60- 3.70 (m, 1H),3.85-3.95 (m, 1H), 4.20 (s, 1H), 5.55-5.70 (m, 1H), 5.75-5.90 (m, 1H),MS (ESI+) for C₁₂H₂₃BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity): 473.3 ([2 × (M − H₂O) +H]⁺, 84), 255.2 ([M + H]⁺, 100), 237.2 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 58). 2054B

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 0.94-1.05 (m, 6H), 1.65- 2.00 (m, 2H), 2.00-2.25 (m,3H), 2.59 (s, 3H), 3.00-3.10 (m, 1H), 3.35-3.55 (m, 1H), 3.65-3.75 (m,1H), 4.00-4.05 (m, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₀H₂₁BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity):228.6 ([M + H]⁺, 33), 210.6 ([M − H₂O + H]⁺, 100). 2504C

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 0.94 (d, J = 6.6 Hz, 3H), 1.03 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 3H),1.64-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.73-1.95 (m, 1H), 2.00-2.05 (m, 2H), 2.33- 2.40 (m,1H), 2.80 (s, 3H), 2.83 (s, 3H), 3.01- 3.10 (m, 1H), 3.39-3.50 (m, 1H),3.71- 3.90 (m, 1H), 4.09 (d, J = 6.2 Hz, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₁H₂₃BN₂O₃m/z (rel intensity): 243.2 ([M + H]⁺, 100). 5349

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 0.60-1.20 (m, 8H), 1.60- 2.15 (m, 6H), 3.00-3.11 (m,2H), 3.40-3.55 (m, 2H), 3.75-3.85 (m, 1H), 4.05-4.30 (m, 1H). MS (ESI+)for C₁₂H₂₃BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity): 255.2 ([M + H]⁺, 100). 5362

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 0.90-1.52 (m, 6H), 1.70- 1.80 (m, 1H), 1.90-2.15 (m,3H), 3.07-3.14 (m, 1H), 3.27-3.31 (m, 1H), 3.50-3.72 (m, 2H), 3.90-3.95(m, 1H), 5.32 (s, 1H). MS (ESI+) for C₁₀H₁₉BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity):227.2 ([M + H]⁺, 100). 5363

¹H NMR (D₂O): δ 1.05-1.10 (m, 3H), 1.25- 1.35 (m, 3H), 1.70-2.15 (m,6H), 3.10 (dd, J = 11.0, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 3.43-3.80 (m, 4H), 4.29 (s, 1H).MS (ESI+) for C₁₁H₂₁BN₂O₃ m/z (rel intensity): 241.2 ([M + H]⁺, 100).

Example 2. Exemplary DASH-Inhibitors

Example 2. Exemplary DASH-inhibitors IIC50 Name Structure DPP8 DPP9 DPP4DPP2 FAP PREP DPP8/9 Pyroptosis 4175

5.1 1.9 1.6 88 32 24 12 14 2054 Val- boro Pro 5544

3.6 1.7 0.7 8.2 17 35 80 49 (form- erly 3102 A- 2C)

7.8 6.1 6.4 27 31 42 4.7 1.7 3102 C

5 4 6 21 20 15 2.7 NA 4175 CH

5.4 2.7 2.8 54 76 34 5.8 6.0 4316

3.7 2 1.2 7.8 16 58 32 21 4317

6 3 2 12 26 160 12 13 1797

2.7 1.1 1.2 2.1 10 30 19 23 4175 CP

5.3 5.6 2.9 9.2 88 68 27 33 4268

10 14 12 68 75 23 28 87 1129

6.5 3.1 0.5 1.4 13 240 >10,000 >10,000 2408

12,000 8,400 0.9 1700 11,000 100,000 >20,000 >10,000 2243

4.9 2.8 0.2 0.2 130 440 135 11,000 2401

4.3 3 0.8 NA 100 1300 3.9 >20,000 5362

4.5 2.4 0.5 67 58 1200 110 NA 5291 (“8J”)

5.1 4.7 7900 30000 >10000 >100000 58 NA 4160 (“1G 244”)

400 490 1000 NA 2200 10000 1400 NA 1129

7 3 0.5 1 43 240 NA NA 4949

24 19 22 39 1200 58 NA 1900 5466

23 6 0.9 2.9 42 380 440 NA 3102 A

10 7 7.2 81 9 49 1200 NA 5533

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 5534

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 5535

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 1049 C

94 56 830 95 >100,000 >100,000 NA NA 1049 D

6 10 22 NA 640 NA NA NA 1049 E

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 3356

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 3360 C

5.0 4.6 1375 NA NA NA 130 NA 3365

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 3366

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 4160

400 490 1000 NA 2200 10000 1400 NA 5311

80,990 5786 >100,000 63,820 >100,000 >100,000 NA NA 5316

4112 468 >100,000 92,160 >100,000 >100,000 NA NA 5317

127.5 53.2 54,760 22,060 >100,000 >100,000 NA NA 5319

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 5320

1.9 7.9 2070 53,940 >100,000 89,450 280 NA 5321

39 112 20,270 44,850 >100,000 >100,000 NA NA 5322

3.0 6.6 9818 36,840 >100,000 >100,000 2000 5323

862 305 60,270 >100,000 >100,000 >100,000 NA NA 5325

123 62 >100,000 842 >100,000 >100,000 NA NA 5333

6.8 5.2 4426 26480 >100,000 87,440 200 NA 5551

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 5552

>100,000 >100,000 472 >100,000 41,070 5569 NA NA 5553

>100,000 2465 >100,000 978 >100,000 441 NA NA 5554

>100,000 >100,000 >100,000 36,490 >100,000 25,120 NA NA 4313

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 4313 S

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 2504 C

5200 16,000 21,000 10,000 >100,000 28,000 NA NA 4312

29 13 2 6400 13,000 >100,000 NA NA 4312 S

24 11 9 610 75 1000 NA NA 5349

250 3100 92 610 14,000 730 NA NA 5298

79 79 4.5 4180 >100,000 >100,000 NA NA 5363

5.5 5.2 1.4 110 32 1400 270 NA 4367

5.6 1.5 1.4 34 350 200 55 NA 1336

5.3 3.1 2 0.8 17 71 92 NA 1454

12 8.5 1.6 1 150 1100 160 NA 1700

14 1.6 1.3 0.2 82 420 14000 NA 1181

13 3.5 1.3 54 29 420 11000 NA 8120

26 13 1.1 12 4.1 340 33000 NA 9987

42 19 1.3 >100,000 700 >100,000 120 NA 5870

9.7 8.4 9.3 58 33 9.1

Example 3. Protocol for the Determine the Intracellular IC₅₀ Against DPPActivity in 293T Cells

Since 293T cells express low levels of endogenous DPP8/9 but not DPP IV,DPP II, or FAP, this allows for assessment of intracellular DPP8/9inhibition without interference from other background DPP activity.(Danilova, O. et al. (2007) Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 17, 507-510; Wang,X. M. et al. (2005) Hepatology 42, 935-945) This information allow forassessment of cell penetrability of the compounds.

Materials

-   -   293T cells (ATCC, Cat. No. CRL-11268)    -   RPMI 1640 cell culture media without phenol red (VWR, Cat. No.        45000-410) supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine (VWR, Cat. No.        45000-676), 10 mM HEPES (VWR, Cat. No. 45000-690), 1 mM sodium        pyruvate (VWR, Cat. No. 45000-710), 4500 mg/L glucose (VWR, Cat.        No. 45001-116), 1× penicillin-streptomycin (VWR, Cat. No.        45000-652)    -   Inhibitor or prodrug    -   4000× substrate solution (100 mM Ala-Pro-AFC (Bachem, Cat. No.        1-1680) in DMSO)    -   96-well black clear-bottom plates (BD Biosciences, Cat. No.        353948)

Instrumentation

-   -   Plate shaker    -   Molecular Devices SpectraMax® M2e microplate reader

Protocol Assay Setup

Trypsinize and spin down cells from a 75 cm2 or larger flask, wash withPBS and resuspend in RPMI 1640. Count the cells in the resultingsuspension and adjust the volume such that it has 100,000 cells per 75μL. Add 100 μL of RPMI 1640 alone to rows A-C of column 1 in a 96-wellblack clear-bottomed plate. Add 75 μL of the cell suspension to theremaining wells in columns 2-10. Equilibrate the plates at 37° C.overnight.

Sample Preparation

1. To prepare the compound for the assay, dissolve it in either DMSO or,if cyclization is suspected, in pH 2.0 water (0.01 N HCl) to a finalconcentration of 100 mM. For pH 2.0 stocks, incubate at room temperaturefor a minimum of four hours and up to overnight. From this, prepare a 4mM stock in RPMI 1640. If the inhibitor is insoluble at thisconcentration, dilute the 100 mM stock 1:10 to 10 mM. Using this stock,prepare a 0.4 mM stock as described above. The pH of each diluted sampleshould be confirmed to be that of the cell culture medium (pH 7-8).

2. Prepare a dilution plate for the compounds prepared in step 3. To doso, add the 4 or 0.4 mM stocks prepared previously to row A of a 96-wellplate. From this, perform 1:10 serial dilutions into RPMI 1640 down torow G as shown below. Row H should have RPMI 1640 cell culture mediumalone:

3. Add 25 μL of the compound from the dilution plate prepared in step 4to the assay plate in columns 2-10 where appropriate. Each sample shouldbe tested in triplicate. Shake the plate briefly and allow it toincubate for two hours at 37° C.

4. During this time, the substrate should be prepared. To do so, dilutethe 100 mM stock 1:400 into RPMI 1640 to its final working concentrationof 250 μM.

5. After the incubation at 37° C. is complete, add 10 μL of thesubstrate prepared in step 5 to each well. Shake the plate briefly andallow it to incubate for 10 minutes at 37° C. Once complete, read thefluorescence at λex: 400, λem: 505.

Data Analysis

1. Import the fluorescence values directly into Prism as the y values.For the inhibitor concentrations, which are the x values, be sure todivide the concentrations in the dilution plate by 4 to account fortheir dilution in the assay. The x values must be converted into logvalues prior to their importation into Prism. The concentration for theno inhibitor wells (row H) should be entered as -14 (equal to 10-14 M).

2. Once the values have been entered, under “Analyze”, choose “Nonlinearregression (curve fit)”. At the subsequent prompt, choose“log(inhibitor) vs. response”. This will calculate the IC50 values,which can be found in the “Results” section.

Example 4. Protocol for In Vitro Inhibition Assay for DipeptidylPeptidase IV, Dipeptidyl Peptidase 8, Dipeptidyl Peptidase 9, DipeptidylPeptidase II, Fibroblast Activation Protein or Prolyl Oligopeptidase

This assay may be used to determine the IC50 of various inhibitorsagainst recombinant human dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV), dipeptidylpeptidase 8 (DPP8), dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9), dipeptidyl peptidaseII, fibroblast activation protein (FAP) or prolyl oligopeptidase (PREP).

Materials Enzymes

-   -   Recombinant human DPPIV (R&D Systems, Cat. No. 1180-SE)    -   Recombinant human DPP8 (Enzo Life Sciences, Cat. No. BML-SE527)    -   Recombinant human DPP9 (R&D Systems, Cat. No. 5419-SE)    -   Recombinant human DPPII (R&D Systems, Cat. No. 3438-SE)    -   Recombinant human FAP (R&D Systems, Cat. No. 3715-SE)    -   Recombinant human PREP (R&D Systems, Cat. No. 4308-SE)

Assay Buffers

-   -   25 mM Tris, pH 8.0 (DPPIV and DPP9)    -   50 mM Tris, pH 7.5 (DPP8)    -   25 mM MES, pH 6.0 (DPPII)    -   50 mM Tris, 140 mM NaCl, pH 7.5 (FAP)    -   25 mM Tris, 0.25 M NaCl, pH 7.5 (PREP)

Substrates

-   -   4000× substrate solution (100 mM Gly-Pro-AMC (VWR, Cat. No.        100042-646) in DMSO, DPPIV, DPP8 and DPP9)    -   4000× substrate solution (100 mM Lys-Pro-AMC (Bachem, Cat. No.        1-1745) in DMSO, DPPII)    -   100× substrate solution (2.5 mM Z-Gly-Pro-AMC (VWR, Cat. No.        I-1145.0050BA) in DMSO, FAP and PREP)

General Materials

-   -   Compound    -   96-well black clear-bottom plates (Costar, Cat. No. 3603)

Instrumentation

-   -   Plate shaker    -   Molecular Devices SpectraMax® M2e microplate reader

Protocol

1. To prepare the compound for the assay, dissolve it in either DMSO or,if cyclization is suspected, in pH 2.0 water (0.01 N HCl) to a finalconcentration of 100 mM. For pH 2.0 stocks, incubate at room temperaturefor a minimum of four hours and up to overnight. From this, prepare a 1mM stock at pH 7.4 in 50 mM Tris. If the inhibitor is insoluble at thisconcentration, dilute the 100 mM stock 1:10 to 10 mM. Using this stock,prepare a 0.1 mM stock as described above.

2. Prepare a dilution plate for the compound stocks to be tested. Addthe 0.1 and/or 1 mM stocks prepared previously to row A of a 96-wellplate. From this, perform 1:10 serial dilutions into the appropriateassay buffer down the columns as shown below:

3. Prepare 20× substrate solution by diluting the DMSO stocks into theappropriate assay buffer.

4. Dilute the enzymes into their appropriate assay buffers. The dilutionfactor is lot dependent and must be determined prior to performing theassay. The final enzyme concentrations should be 0.1, 0.8, 0.4, 0.2,1.2, and 0.6 nM for DPPIV, 8, 9, II, FAP and PREP respectively. Add 180μL to each well needed in columns 2-10. Column 1 should be prepared asshown below:

5. Add 20 μL of the compound of interest from the dilution plateprepared in step 2 to columns 2-10 of the assay plate where appropriate.Each sample should be tested in triplicate. Allow this to incubate for10 minutes at room temperature, shaking the plate for the first twominutes.

6. Add 10 μL of 20× substrate prepared in step 3 to each well and allowthis to incubate for 15 minutes at room temperature, shaking the platefor the first two minutes.

7. Read the fluorescence at λex: 380, λem: 460.

Data Analysis

1. Average the values for the blanks in wells A1, B1 and C₁ and subtractthis from the remaining wells. Import the resulting fluorescence valuesinto Prism as the y values. For the compound concentrations, which arethe x values, be sure to divide the concentrations in the dilution plateby 10.5 to account for their dilution in the assay plate. These must beconverted into log values prior to their importation into Prism

2. Once the values have been entered, under “Analyze” and choose“Nonlinear regression (curve fit)”. At the subsequent prompt, choose“log(inhibitor) vs. response”. This will calculate the IC50 values,which can be found in the “Results” section.

Example 5. Assessment of Serum Cytokine Induction in Mice Methodology:Animals

For general screening purposes, approximately 8 week old male BALB/cmice are used, but others can be substituted if that particular strainis of interest, noting that their cytokine profiles may be different.

Materials

-   -   Compound    -   Vehicle        -   pH 2.0 water (0.01 N HCl, oral)        -   PBS (Mediatech, Cat. No. 21-030-CV, IP or SC)    -   Cytokine Quantikine ELISA kit        -   G-CSF (R&D Systems, Cat. No. MCS00)        -   CXCL1 (R&D Systems, Cat. No. MKC00B)        -   IL-18 (R&D Systems, Cat. No. 7625)        -   IL-1β (R&D Systems, Cat. No. MLB00C)        -   IFN-γ (R&D Systems, Cat. No. MIF00)        -   IL-6 (R&D Systems, Cat. No. M6000B)

Instrumentation

-   -   Molecular Devices SpectraMax® M2^(e) microplate reader

Protocol

-   -   1. Mice (n=5) are allowed to acclimate for one week prior to        dosing.    -   2. If mice are to be treated orally, they should be fasted for a        minimum of two hours, up to overnight (not >15 hours).    -   3. Compounds of interest are prepared in either pH 2.0 water for        oral (PO) or PBS for intraperitoneal (IP) or subcutaneous (SC)        administration. IP and SC samples must also be sterilized via        filtration through a 0.22 m PVDF filter. The concentration        should be prepared such that the appropriate dose is        administered in a volume of 200 μL/animal.    -   4. For BALB/c mice, blood samples are collected via cardiac        puncture at either three six hours post-Rx. Blood samples are        collected in Eppendorf tubes and allowed to incubate for 30        minutes at room temperature before centrifugation at 14,000 rpm        for 15 minutes at 4° C. for serum separation and collection.    -   5. Serum samples should be stored at −80° C. while awaiting        analysis.    -   6. Cytokine levels are measured following the instructions        supplied with the commercially available kits.

Results: General Screen of Select Inhibitors for G-CSF Induction inBALB/c Mice

Route of Average Administration [G-CSF] Dose (200 μL/ at 6 hrs InhibitorPID (μg/animal) animal) (pg/ml) Vehicle N/A N/A PO 550 SC 210 FT-1002054 20 PO 55000 SC 97000 ARI-4175 4175 20 PO 19000 SC 65000 ARI-55445544 5 PO 650 20 30000 SC 73000 ARI-4175OH 4175OH 5 PO 1100 20 51000 SC60000 Arg-boroPro 3205 20 PO 320 200 930 2000 3500 20 SC 160 200 6702000 31000 Glu-boroPro 8120 20 PO 340 200 160 2000 2300 200 SC 210 200016000 ARI-2243 2243 20 PO 330 50 IP 2100 100 2400 300 4400 SitagiptinMKD431 1000 PO 340 100 SC 100 2000 950 Crg-boroPro 1797 20 PO 20000theoric- 4316 20 PO 5000 boroPro Deuterated PT- 20540  20 PO 37000 100

Conclusion:

Valine-boroProline and ARI-4175 both result in a strong cytokineresponse in mice and exhibit anticancer activity as well, so it isbelieved that the cytokine response may be linked to this phenomenon.G-CSF has proven to serve as a representative cytokine for the overallresponse, so it is generally used for initial screening purposes.Several inhibitors have been screened to date that result in G-CSFinduction profiles close to, if not similar, to Valine-boroProline andARI-4175, suggesting that they may be potent anticancer agents as well.

ARI-4175 was also screened against a panel of select cytokines,specifically, G-CSF, CXCL1, IL-18, IL-1β, IFN-γ and IL-6. While thedegree of the response varied amongst the various cytokines, ARI-4175resulted in higher levels of each when compared to vehicle alone. Thissuggests that there is the possibility of a number of biomarkersavailable to follow when determining the level of response to selectinhibitors in this class of compounds.

Finally, Valine-boroProline and ARI-4175 were compared in both caspase-1KO and C₅₇BL/6NJ wild-type mice. This was based on the belief that theseinhibitors act through a pathway involving IL-10. In order to beactivated, IL-13 must first be processed from its precursor form bycaspase-1. Since absence of caspase-1 would prevent this step fromoccurring, it was hypothesized that Valine-boroProline would result incytokine stimulation in wild-type mice, but not in caspase-1 KO mice.This was in fact the case, thereby further strengthening the conclusionthat these inhibitors function via a pathway involving IL-1β.

Example 6. MB49 Efficacy Studies (FIGS. 7-10 and 12-16) Summary

The purpose of these experiments is to determine the efficacy of varioussmall molecule inhibitors in combination with COX inhibitors or PD-1inhibitors or both in an immunocompetent mouse model. All animal studiesare carried out under approved IACUC protocols.

Description Materials

-   -   Female BALB/c mice, ideally 10-12 weeks old (n=10/group)    -   MB49 murine urothelial carcinoma cell line    -   RPMI 1640 cell culture media without phenol red (VWR, Cat. No.        45000-410) supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine (VWR, Cat. No.        45000-676), 10 mM HEPES (VWR, Cat. No. 45000-690), 1 mM sodium        pyruvate (VWR, Cat. No. 45000-710), 4500 mg/L glucose (VWR, Cat.        No. 45001-116), 1× penicillin-streptomycin (VWR, Cat. No.        45000-652)    -   Vehicle (10% EtOH, 2% Tween 80, 2% Solutol HS-15, pH 2.0)        -   Oral (PO) dosing: pH 2.0 water (0.01 N HCl)        -   Intraperitoneal (IP) dosing: sterile PBS            -   Small molecule inhibitor            -   Checkpoint antibodies

Protocol

Mice are ordered and allowed to acclimate for a week prior toinoculation. Ideally, they should weigh approximately at least 18 g atthe time of inoculation. Mice were inoculated subcutaneously in theright flank with 1×10⁶ MB49 cells per animal.

-   -   I-DASH inhibitor coadministered+/−CBX PO in the morning    -   Vehicle or CBX alone administered PO in the evening (4 hrs        between doses)    -   PD-1 antibodies administered once daily (IP) on days 7, 10, 13        and 16    -   All groups dosed on a 5 day on/2 days off schedule    -   Experimental endpoints for individual animals were as follows:        -   a. Poor body condition (severe lethargy, labored breathing,            etc.)        -   b. Body weight loss of >15% from the start of dosing        -   c. Tumor measurement >14 mm in one direction        -   d. Tumor ulceration measuring >5 mm in one direction        -   e. Death

Example 7. EnPlex IC₅₀ Values of ARI Compounds; In Vitro Inhibition ofDPP4, 7, 8, 9 and FAP Methodology

The EnPlex assay was performed as described previously (Bachovchin etal, Nature Chemical Biology, 2014). Compounds were assayed intriplicate.

Results

ARI-5544, ARI-4175CH, ARI-3102C, ARI-5836, and ARI-4175 are all highlypotent inhibitors of DPP8/9 (IC₅₀s for DPP9<50 pM). These compounds havehighly potent pyroptosis inducing activity in vitro (<10 nM). Thesecompounds are all equally or more potent for DPP4, except for ARI-5836,which has a >10-fold preference for DPP9.

Pyroptosis IC₅₀ (nM) EnPlex IC₅₀ (pM) RAW 264.7 MV4; 11 THP-1 CompoundDPP4 DPP7 DPP8 DPP9 FAP WT cells Luc-Neo sgGFP ARI-5544 5 100,000 136 >100,000 2 <0.1 0.2 ARI-4175CH 5 >100,000 16 12 >100,000 6 0.2 0.9ARI-3102C 6 7,000 89 3 >100,000 3 1 7 ARI-5836 447 >100,000 19040 >100,000 — 1 2 ARI-4175 4 >100,000 8 3 >100,000 14 8 7 ARI-3102A17 >100,000 9 168 484 173 571 376 ARI-2107 79 >100,000 47 67 >100,000 —165 65 ARI-2054 <0.3 333,000 51 332 >100,000 98 60 168

Example 8. Oral PK Profile of ARI-5544 and ARI-4175CH in Mice

Measuring of plasma drug concentrations following oral administration ofARI-5544 and ARI-4175CH in normal mice

Methodology Mice:

BALB/c mice, male, Charles River Laboratories, 10 weeks of age.

Formulation:

Drugs dissolved in pH 2 water at 0.3 mg/mL. Administration of 10 mL/kggives a dose of 3 mg/kg.

Treatment Groups:

3 mg/kg ARI-5544 by oral gavage, n=3, dose=3 mg/kg.3 mg/kg ARI-4175CH by oral gavage, n=3, dose=3 mg/kg.

Samples:

1. Blood collected at 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 120 and 240 min post-dosefrom the tail vein into Li-heparin tubes.

2. Plasma prepared by centrifugation.

3. Drug concentrations measured by LCMS.

Results Plasma Drug Concentrations:

Time [5544] in Plasma (uM) Time [4175CH] in Plasma (uM) (min) #1 #2 #3(min) #1 #2 #3 5 0.16 0.11 0.22 5 0.28 0.23 0.42 10 NS NS 0.27 10 0.250.09 NS 20 0.14 0.17 0.18 20 0.23 0.23 0.27 30 0.11 0.22 0.17 30 0.240.13 NS 40 0.12 0.13 0.14 40 0.17 0.25 0.19 60 0.08 0.11 0.09 60 0.000.09 NS 120 0.03 0.03 0.05 120 0.07 0.07 0.09 240 0.02 0.01 0.02 2400.01 0.01 NS NS: No Sample

Example 9. Enzymatic Assay

SID 53179: 3102A-2C rhDPP4 inhibitory activity

IC₅₀s pH 2=1.2 nM, pH 7.8=0.1 uM

Enzyme Type Activity DPP4 (pH2) IC₅₀ 0.0012 μM DPP4 (pH7.8) IC₅₀ 0.1 μMSID 74561 In vitro DPP IV, DPP8, DPP9, DPPII, FAP and PREP inhibitionassays

DPP IV IC₅₀=4.3 nM (pH 2.0), 460 nM (pH 7.4) DPP8 IC₅₀=2.5 nM (pH 2.0),1.4 uM (pH 7.4) DPP9 IC₅₀=3.5 nM (pH 2.0), 1.5 uM (pH 7.4) DPPII IC₅₀=21nM (pH 2.0), 630 nM (pH 7.4) FAP IC₅₀=66 nM (pH 2.0), 9.2 uM (pH 7.4)PREP IC₅₀=62 nM (pH 2.0), 5.7 uM (pH 7.4)

Enzyme Type Activity DPPIV IC₅₀ 0.004 μM DPP8 IC₅₀ 0.003 μM DPP9 IC₅₀0.004 μM DPPII IC₅₀ 0.021 μM FAP IC₅₀ 0.066 μM PREP IC₅₀ 0.062 μM Note:The compound was incubated at room temperature overnight at pH 2.0 or pH7.4 prior to performing the assaysSID 75066 Intracellular DPP8/9 inhibition assay with 293T cells

IIC₅₀=3.3 nM

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for enhancing an immune response againsta tumor, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof atherapeutically effective amount of an I-DASH inhibitor and a PGE2antagonist, wherein the I-DASH inhibitor inhibits the enzymatic activityof DPP8, DPP9 and DPP4; and the combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor andPGE2 antagonist induces and/or enhances cell-mediated immune responseagainst the tumor.
 2. A pharmaceutical formulation for enhancing animmune response against a tumor, comprising (i) a therapeuticallyeffective amount of an I-DASH inhibitor; and (ii) an amount of a PGE2antagonist effective to permit safe dosing of patients with thetherapeutically effective amount of the I-DASH inhibitor, wherein theI-DASH inhibitor inhibits the enzymatic activity of DPP8, DPP9 and DPP4, and the combination of immuno-DASH inhibitor and PGE2 antagonistinduces and/or enhances cell-mediated immune response against the tumor.3. A single oral dosage formulation for oral administration to apatient, comprising (i) a an I-DASH inhibitor; (ii) a PGE2 antagonist;and (iii) one ore more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, whereinthe I-DASH inhibitor is provided in an amount sufficient totherapeutically inhibit the enzymatic activity of DPP8, DPP9 and DPP4,and the PGE2 antagonist is present in an amount to reduce eicosanoidinduction by the I-DASH inhibitor and increase the maximum tolerateddose of the I-DASH inhibitor by at least 5-fold.
 4. The method of claim1, formulation of claim 2 or 3, wherein the PGE2 antagonist is acyclooxygenase inhibitor.
 5. The method or formulation of claim 4,wherein the cyclooxygenase inhibitor is a selective inhibitor ofcyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor, such as celecoxib or rofecoxib. 6.The method of claim 1, formulation of claim 2 or 3, wherein the PGE2antagonist is a phospholipase 2 inhibitor.
 7. The method of claim 1,formulation of claim 2 or 3, wherein the PGE2 antagonist is aphospholipase 2 inhibitor.
 8. The method or formulation of any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein at the therapeutically effective amount,the I-DASH-inhibitor has an intracellular IC₅₀ for DPP8 and DPP9inhibition less than 100 nM, or the I-DASH-inhibitor has an in vivo IC₅₀for DPP4 inhibition less than 100 nM, or both.
 9. The method orformulation of any one of preceding claims, wherein the I-DASH-inhibitorhas a k_(off) rate for interaction with DPP4 less than 1×10-4/sec. 10.The method or formulation of any one of preceding claims, wherein theI-DASH-inhibitor has an intracellular IC₅₀ for DPP8 and DPP9 inhibitionless than 100 nM, an in vitro IC₅₀ of less than 100 nM for DPP4inhibition, an IC₅₀ of less than 100 nM for inducing pyroptosis ofmacrophage in cell culture, and a k_(off) rate for interaction with DPP4less than 1×10⁻⁴/sec.
 11. The method or formulation of any one ofpreceding claims, wherein the I-DASH inhibitor is an organic moleculehaving a molecular weight less than 1500 amu.
 12. The method orformulation of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the I-DASHinhibitor has an EC₅₀ for inhibition of tumor growth of 500 nM or less.13. The method or formulation of any one of the preceding claims,wherein at the therapeutically effective amount, the I-DASH-inhibitorincreases CXCL10 serum concentration.
 14. The method or formulation ofany one of the preceding claims, wherein at the therapeuticallyeffective amount, the I-DASH-inhibitor decreases the number of cancerassociated macrophages.
 15. The method or formulation of any one of thepreceding claims, wherein at the therapeutically effective amount, theI-DASH-inhibitor reduces monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells inthe cancer.
 16. The method or formulation of any one of the precedingclaims, wherein at the therapeutically effective amount, theI-DASH-inhibitor reduces T-cell suppressive activity of granulocyticmyeloid-derived suppressor cells in the cancer.
 17. The method orformulation of any one of the preceding claims, wherein theI-DASH-inhibitor is provided in an amount that produces, within 6 hoursof administration, at least a 100% increase in mean plasma levels of oneor more of G-CSF, IL-6, IL-8 and/or IL-18, and preferably at least a100% increase in mean plasma levels of G-CSF.
 18. The method orformulation of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at the I-DASHinhibitor is provided in an amount that produces a serum drugconcentration from 1-10 times the EC50 for DPP8, DPP9 and/or DPP4inhibition.
 19. The method or formulation of any one of the precedingclaims, wherein at the I-DASH inhibitor is provided in an amount thatproduces a serum drug concentration from 1-10 times the EC50 forinduction of a statistically significant increase in mean plasma levelsof IL-1beta.
 20. The method or formulation of any one of the precedingclaims, wherein at the I-DASH inhibitor is provided in an amount thatproduces a serum drug concentration from 1-10 times the EC50 forinduction of tumor-associated macrophage pyroptosis.
 21. The method orformulation of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at thetherapeutically effective amount, the combination of the I-DASHinhibitor and the PGE2 antagonist produces full cancer regression, andthe therapeutically effective amount is at least two-fold less than themaximum tolerated dose of the combination.
 22. The method or formulationof any one of claims 1-30, wherein the I-DASH checkpoint inhibitor isrepresented by the general formula:

wherein A represents a 4-8 membered heterocycle including the N and theCa carbon; Z represents C or N; W represents —CN, —CH═NR5,

R1 represents a C-terminally linked amino acid residue or amino acidanalog, or a C-terminally linked peptide or peptide analog, or anamino-protecting group, or

R2 is absent or represents one or more substitutions to the ring A, eachof which can independently be a halogen, a lower alkyl, a lower alkenyl,a lower alkynyl, a carbonyl (such as a carboxyl, an ester, a formate, ora ketone), a thiocarbonyl (such as a thioester, a thioacetate, or athioformate), an amino, an acylamino, an amido, a cyano, a nitro, anazido, a sulfate, a sulfonate, a sulfonamido, —(CH₂)_(m)—R7,—(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl,—(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl,—(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R7; if X is N, R3represents hydrogen, if X is C, R3 represents hydrogen or a halogen, alower alkyl, a lower alkenyl, a lower alkynyl, a carbonyl (such as acarboxyl, an ester, a formate, or a ketone), a thiocarbonyl (such as athioester, a thioacetate, or a thioformate), an amino, an acylamino, anamido, a cyano, a nitro, an azido, a sulfate, a sulfonate, asulfonamido, —(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkyl,—(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—SH,—(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, (CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkenyl,—(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R7; R5 represents H, an alkyl, an alkenyl, analkynyl, —C(X1)(X2)X3, —(CH₂)_(m)—R7, (CH₂)_(n)—OH, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkyl,—(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7,—(CH₂)_(n)—SH, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S-alkenyl,—(CH₂)_(n)—S-alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —C(O)C(O)NH₂,—C(O)C(O)OR′7; R6 represents hydrogen, a halogen, a alkyl, a alkenyl, aalkynyl, an aryl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R7, —(CH₂)_(m)—OH, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-loweralkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—O-lower alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(n)—O—(CH₂)_(m)—R7,—(CH₂)_(m)—SH, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—S-lower alkenyl,—(CH₂)_(n)—S—(CH₂)_(m)—R7, R7 represents, for each occurrence, asubstituted or unsubstituted aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, orheterocycle; R′7 represents, for each occurrence, hydrogen, or asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl, or heterocycle; and Y1 and Y2 can independently ortogether be OH, or a group capable of being hydrolyzed to a hydroxylgroup, including cyclic derivatives where Y1 and Y2 are connected via aring having from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring structure (such as pinacol orthe like), R50 represents O or S; R51 represents N₃, SH₂, NH₂, NO₂ orOR′7; R52 represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl, an amine, OR′7, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt, or R51 and R52 taken together with thephosphorous atom to which they are attached complete a heterocyclic ringhaving from 5 to 8 atoms in the ring structure X1 represents a halogen;X2 and X3 each represent a hydrogen or a halogen m is zero or an integerin the range of 1 to 8; and n is an integer in the range of 1 to
 8. 23.The method or formulation of any one of claims 1-30, wherein the I-DASHcheckpoint inhibitor is represented by formula I, or II, or III, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:

wherein the substituents for each are as described herein.
 24. Themethod or formulation of any one of claims 1-23, wherein the I-DASHcheckpoint inhibitor is a dipeptide borproline inhibitor of DPP8, DPP9and DPP4 and the PGE2 antagonist is selective COX-2 inhibitor.
 25. Themethod or formulation of any one of claims 1-24, wherein the I-DASHcheckpoint inhibitor and the PGE2 antagonist are co-formulated for oraladministration including an immediate release portion of the PGE2antagonist and a delayed, intermediate and/or extended release doseportion of the I-DASH checkpoint inhibitor, and (optionally) anadditional delayed, intermediate and/or extended release dose portion ofthe PGE2 antagonist.
 26. An infusion pump comprising an I-DASH inhibitorand a PGE2 antagonist, formulated together or in separate reservoirs,and means for infusing a patient with both the I-DASH inhibitor and thePGE2 antagonist.
 27. The method or formulation of any one of claims1-25, wherein I-DASH inhibitor and PGE2 antagonist are administered incombination with one or more additional checkpoint inhibitors, such asinhibitors of one or more of PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, LAG-3, CEACAM, VISTA,BTLA, TIGIT, LAIR1, CD160, 2B4, NLRP1, NRLP3, STING or TGFR beta. 28.The method or formulation of any one of claims 1-25 and 27, whereinI-DASH inhibitor and PGE2 antagonist are administered in combinationwith one or more costimulatory molecules, such as agonists of one ormore of OX40, CD2, CD27, CDS, ICAM-1, LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18), ICOS (CD278),4-1BB (CD137), GITR, CD30, CD40, BAFFR, HVEM, CD7, LIGHT, NKG2C, SLAMF7,NKp80, CD160, B7-H3 or CD83 ligand.
 29. The method or formulation of anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the I-DASH inhibitor and the PGE2antagonist are used as part of a treatment protocol including one ormore other chemotherapeutic agents, immuno-oncology agents or radiation.30. The method or formulation of any one of the preceding claims,wherein the I-DASH inhibitor and the PGE2 antagonist are used as part ofa treatment protocol including a tumor vaccine, adoptive cell therapy,gene therapy or oncolytic viral therapy.
 31. The method or formulationof any one of claims 1-30, wherein the I-DASH checkpoint inhibitor is aValine-boroProline and the PGE2 antagonist is selective COX-2 inhibitor.